Jerusalem, 8 October, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Former Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef has warned voters not to support National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, citing his repeated visits to the Temple Mount in defiance of leading rabbinic authorities.
Speaking during a holiday Torah lesson, Yosef said politicians who violate the rulings of leading rabbis should not be given political power. “God forbid to give a hand to someone like that,” he said, referring to Ben Gvir.
Yosef also criticized politicians who, he said, attract young voters with slogans rather than meaningful action.
Yosef then praised Shas, saying it is the only movement capable of preserving Jewish tradition in Israel.
Political analyses and media reports have noted that Ben Gvir draws some of his support from traditional and religious voters who have historically supported Shas, particularly among younger voters and communities in Israel’s geographic and socioeconomic periphery.
