U.S.: Rabbi's 'offensive' remarks harm peace efforts
U.S. State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley condemns Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's 'inflammatory' statement that all Palestinians should perish.
By Natasha Mozgovaya and Haaretz Service Tags: Israel newsThe United States on Sunday condemned remarks by the spiritual leader of Israel's leading ultra-Orthodox party, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, who said the Palestinians should "perish".
"We regret and condemn the inflammatory statements by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef," U.S. State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley. "These remarks are not only deeply offensive, but incitement such as this hurts the cause of peace."
"As we move forward to relaunch peace negotiations, it is important that actions by people on all sides help to advance our effort, not hinder it."
Yosef had said during his weekly Shabbat sermon that the Palestinians, namely Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, should perish from the world. Yosef, a founder of the Shas Party, also described Palestinians as evil, bitter enemies of Israel.
"All these evil people should perish from this world ... God should strike them with a plague, them and these Palestinians," Yosef had said.
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Shas spiritual leader Ovadia Yosef |
| Photo by: Daniel Bar-On |
The 89-year-old is a respected religious scholar but is also known for vitriolic comments about Arabs, secular Jews, liberals, women and gays, among others.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Monday also condemned Rabbi Yosef's comments as “offensive and incendiary,” cautioning that his words “contribute to a potentially dangerous environment of intolerance and hatred.”
"Particularly on the eve of renewed peace talks, and on the eve of the Jewish New Year, one would have hoped that Rav Yosef could have inspired his students and followers with a message of hope, humility, repentance and forgiveness," said a statement from ADL chief Abraham Foxman.
"These comments do not exist in a vacuum – such incendiary expressions contribute to a potentially dangerous environment of intolerance and hatred."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday distanced himself from Yosef's remarks, but stopped short of a condemnation.
"Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's remarks do not reflect Netanyahu's views, nor do they reflect the stance of the Israeli government," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.
"Israel plans to take part in peace negotiations out of a desire to advance toward a peace agreement with the Palestinians that will end the conflict and ensure peace, security and good neighborly relations between the two peoples," the statement continued.
Palestinian U.S. envoy Maen Rashid Aerekat slammed the Rabbi's remarks, saying they were paramount to incitement to genocide.
“We are very disappointed. It comes from the spiritual leader representing large party in the coalition, large segment of the Israeli society. When he makes such incitement against our leadership and the Palestinian people – he is actually telling thousands of his followers to harm the Palestinian people," he said.
"People in Israel whine about Palestinian incitement after sermon in some isolated mosque at the West Bank – and when someone like Ovadia Yossef says something – the Prime Minister doesn’t even have a decency to say: “I am opposed to it, I condemn it."
"Internal politics for the Israeli leaders today is more important than even their own principles. It‘s an example of the Israeli official incitement. Unfortunately, it didn’t get the condemnation from the Israeli leadership it deserved," Aerekat added.
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The Rabi death incitements was not targeted towards Hamas or terrorists, but towards Abbas, the Palestinian president who believes in peace with Israel and rejects any kind of violence as means to end the occupation. They were also targeted towards the whole of the Palestinian people, which constitutes a an incitement for genocide. Ahmadjaden words sound benign in comparison with this. The government response was pathetic, as they failed even to condemn this call for Genocide. Considering that the Jewish people were subjected to the biggest Genocide in History you would expect from them to be more conscious to such moral subject, but that does not appear to be the case.
Eli Yishay is Ovadia Yosef's student, and he currently runs the Interior Ministry which wants to deport children of foreign workers, stop immigration of non-Jews to Israel, prevent asylum seekers from reaching or staying in Israel, not recognize mixed marriages, and the list goes on! Anyone that thinks Ovadia Yosef is a lone rabi that has no influence on politicians should remember that the President & the PM don't make a move without consulting with him, and that his thoughts are being made into law via the Shas political party who he serves as its spiritual leader.
I agree with the words of a fellow Ex US Marine who commented: Hypocrisy (if not racism or suicidal stupidity) is the only suitable word to describe the reason behind singling-out the words uttered once in a while by a senile and debilitated Jewish rabbi, words which have no influence on 90% of the Jews, instead of blaming the on-going fatwas and calls to genocide, terror, murder and treason, widely self-publicized by tens of thousands of crazed US and worldwide Muslim clerics against non-Muslims, which actually influence 90% of the US and worldwide Muslims. If Mubarak Hussain Obama wants to look for whom to blame for attempting to undermine the upcoming talks in Washington, he needs to look no further but his back yard (and maybe his own mirror too). That each Friday Muslem clerics throughout the world make statements worst than this and go totally unnoticed nor condemned by all the so called Humaitarians speaks loads as to their true face.
i am ashamed that a rabbi, so respected, should speak this way... nonetheless, i prefer words as an attempt to derail peace talks - over- bombs.
Helen thomas, 89-years-old: Jews go back home. Helen Thomas loses everything. Rabbi, 89 years-old: Palestinians should perish. Rabbi, bad boy! don't say it again. Anything wrong here!!!
He'd be condemning 24/7 if he went after every Moslem preacher who says much worse.
What we need is peasce and unity not hatered, to be called as human being
... this is true for most religious figures, particularly those who occupy other's land and proclaim it is thier ... given right. They are showing their real holiness now. Such a bunch of murders, hypocrits. The foundation of Isreal is now on a shakier ground than ever before.
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef was born Abdullah Youssef in Iraq and moved to Israel as a child. Seems to have some deep rooted issues concerning his arab heritage
To understand the gravity of what this old man said I suggest a simple exercise; take out this specific sermon and cross out the name Palestinians write in its place Jewish(or Israeli) cross out the name Mahmoud Abbas and write in its place Shimon Peres. Now read it again, in fact for better effect read those pearls of wisdom after the changes two days later. See what you will feel! Also where is the Law enforcement in Israel? If an Arab had written half of what the old man said he would have been in prison without bail and then probably sentenced for some long term in prison. The Law must be applied and seen and show what is right and what is wrong. Two wrongs should not make one right. I do not care what the Iranians or Arabs are saying or doing. I care what I do, what we do. i do not have to emulate them.
Hum bug. This will be forgotten in a day or two, the media will not follow through.. because he is not an arab saying this about Israel. Genocidal remarks from Israeli's/Jews are nothing more than a slip of the tongue, no cardinal sin or 'threat to world peace'. But when uttered by an Arab we are supposed to keep our bombs and war machine on alert. Being Jewish is indeed a great privilege.
And my own government not so much. We can change and vote in another President. That's the real cure for America's problems, Obama. A weak sister who has infuriated his own people by his overbearing brutal treatment of Isrsael. he's a goner, in fact, a lame duck.
Are you joking right? No :-(
Huge difference between to wish and direct to kill as Hadith state. I personally wish all antisemites perish ...
Rabbi Ovadia speaks mainly to his hordes of followers who are too busy studying Torah to do anything. On the otherhand you take the Muslim clerics in Gaza who when they are not too busy digging tunnels for the Hamas upperclass and building their luxurious homes who at a moments notice can commit attrocities against each other and when the chance is given against Israli civilians
only ahmedinadjad and the arabs have the right to wish us dead???!!! we too can say what we think , it is still a free speech country
this disgusting example of humanity should be charged with inciting racial hatred. Otherwise, you can stop whinging about what Ahmedinijad was supposed to have said about wiping Israel off the map. But that will be different always is.
In this country the boys in blue would be interviewing him for Incitement as I type these words
Both he and Ahmadinejad should be charged with inciting Racial hatred and thrown into the pit where they can happily stone each other until the cows come home.
Maybe you should check out the Universities here for a slipping glimpse of reality.
I think no nation can be perished by a curse of any ordinary individual, specially Rabbi Ovadia Yousef. I strongly suggest that he needs a thorough medical checkup as he has started to loose his sence of talking & even cursing. God always accepts valid prayers not rubbish.
I do not agree with the Rabbi's statements, but it should be clear he is not referring to the Arab people, but to PLO terrorist whom Israel is negotiating with. His statements as usual were taken out of context and distorted by the media.
"All these evil people should perish from this world ... God should strike them with a plague, them and these Palestinians," Yosef had said.
I can see a copy of osama bin ladin here.what a shame. The ten comandment say do not kill or harm your neighbour -are you a religious man OVADIA Yossef ? you will go to hell for sure for that sin.
A Palestinian religious leader suggested that the world would be better off without Jews.... Squeak, scream and endless cries of anti semitism.This racist clown is hardly doing Israel any good.
and that's with the Mullahs agreement and religious heft. I assume you do read? Can you comprehend that your religion is the basis of all world wars and abuses to women and childern first????? Betwwen the Sunnis and the Sharia, more Muslims die under their 'religious' beliefs than any other group of people. Man, did you step into a 7' pile of poo.
Quite the contrary my friend! He is showing us who the chosen people are!
Like, provide a source .... You can provide a source....no?
"I assume you do read?" Not Farsi, no, which is why I have to rely of the accuracy of the translation. But even I understand that "wiped off the map" can not be an accurate translation when the words "wiped off" and "map" are not contained anywhere in the speech. The most accurate translation appears to be this one: "The regime occupying Jerusalem [must]/[will]/[shall] disappear from the pages of time". But that is not at all the same as "wiped off the map".
I do believe it is possible that this comment came as a result of onsetting Azhiemers. However, the statement proves that this man is not a man of God. A man of God doesn't carry such hatred and bitterness, bigotry and desires for genocide. The Temple of Jerusalem that you so eagerly protect (for alleged religious reasons) you will desicrate with nuclear arms. You expect support from the US and boy do we give it to you in the billions, but you'd strike us down in a second when you get the chance. You don't have Rabbi's, you have very few people of God left. You are a corrupt nation with an obsession to make the Palestinian people pay for what you went through in the holocaust when most of them weren't even alive let alone German.
You'd better read up on the Torahs instructions about preaching of false gawd in Israel, those same preachers were to be stoned to death.It is you who is in error this entire drama is to show the world that G-d chose the Jews. You chose to be their enemy and you suffer, not the Jews.
Commenting on the statements of this crazy heretic whitebeard old man which calls for God to take revenge on the Palestinians, only to learn this crazy that God never hates any one in the world, such as what he hates the Jews, wicked of the earth, whom God cursed them on the lips of prophets all they are the spoilers in the earth and rapers of Palestine from the native population, and collected the Jewish scum of all over the world and implanted in Palestine, but I tell him and anyone else that the revenge of God of the Jews is certainly coming and from those who oppress what fate they will meet
The State Department should include his name on the terrosit list
Thats for the Jewish leaders of Israels government to do and for this idiot to do not American leaders. Is Israel part of our country? Are we going to supply them with money and apologize for the things they do? When are we dumping these supremacists?
So where is Abe Foxman and the ADL? A German banker speaks of a Jewish gene and they go ballistic. One of the most influential religious leaders in Israel calls for death of Palestinian leaders and Foxman loses his tongue. Does incitement merit condemnation only when directed against Jews?
The one where the 1. The Rav was bringing into play the Rosh Hashanna lituergy "where one requets the all mighty to vanquish all the enemies of the Jewish people" - Note that please requesting the " all might ", and all Jews do this on Rosh Hashanna, so those that have come on saying bla bla bal against the Rabbi must have been on Mars for the last two thousand years. Or this one. 2. He also said that he wished for peace and for geniune peace land could be given up. So to all those who are ranting against the Rav, if you are Jewish add a few more al hets on Yom Kippur. If you not you wouldn't understand anyway. And I would love to know how may of you hypocrites have been on the Iranian and Hamas and Nuti Karta web sites bombarding them in indignation
If an american had made those same comments in the US they would be exercising their constitutional right for freedom of speech. In Israel an Israeli is allowed freedom of speech and if that means a rabbi offends the palestinians thats his right. The arab world might not believe in freedom of speech but in Israel its a luxury thats given, To hell with Obama and the palestinians if an Israeli rabbi wants to make offensive remarks about our enemies in Israel he is entitled to. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef is not a politician, he is not saying this on the record representing the government he is saying it as an individual and whilst the arabs who feel insulted are making a big stink about it now it won't affect talks. If talks work out fine if they fail it won't be because of this statement.
You are wrong. It is not about the freedom of speech in Israel. In israel everybody has the right to utter any kind of thought, and the average Israeli does this with fervour. What matters is whether it is prudent to talk rabid rhetoric like the words of Yosef. Even with freedom of speech the speaker is responsible for what is said.Rabbi Ovadia Yosef is just an irresponsible unworldl9y6 iit..
I meant to say that rabbi Ovadia Yosef is an irresponsible unworldly idiot., and worse.....
The man is not a diplomat, he is not a politcian he is a religious figure and private citizen. Whilst it might not be the cleverest remark to make it is his right to express his opinion even if its not politically correct. A state where your censored so your only allowed to say whats politically correct and not hurt anybodies feelings then its no different from a state where freedom of speech is not allowed full stop. In reality he hurts nobody but himself because this will have no impact at all on the political process. Ovadia Yosef has always been outspoken and said things that are non politically correct on a whole range of subjects this is just the latest.
your freedom of speech includes also insulting???
What a shame to have such a spiritual leader, who speaks words not from God but using His Name in vain.
Unfortunately every religion, culture or people has its fanatics. It is , however, very sad to notice how many followers and admirers this hateful leader still has among the Jewish people. As a secular Jew I feel deeply ashamed by his habitually unworldly remarks. Spiritual leaders like Yosef are to blame for the religious intolerance that currently holds Israel in its grip. After having lived for several years in Israel I found out that for a non observant Jew there are more comfortable places to live than in Israel. Yosef and his henchmen destroy the social fabric of the State of Israel. They may pose a greater threat to Israel's existence than all extremists combined in the Muslem world.
NONE
I'm really happy to read all the comments from Israelis who are ashamed from these comments, but as an Arab, and a Jordanian, i'm telling you not to take these comments seriously, if we listen to any religious leader or person we will hear the same thing, we are better they are enemies they must die.. we should put religion aside and just work together to make the region a better place for us, and our children.. Jewish, Muslim, and Christian leaders, relax, pray and do whatever u want, let us take it from here... we are sick of fighting for the invisible man up there... Thoughts???
Arab-Jordanian, whoever you may be, with more people like you there can be peace, even in the Middle East. May peace be with you.....
A voice of reason. All the wars and problems of the world are instigated by stupid "leaders" and the poor deluded people who follow them.
In the microcosm of this comments section, we see reflected the sentiments of those who seek a Greater Israel, at ANY cost. Remember Rabin. Nothing is too low, nothing too untruthful, even the murder of their own if they get in the way.
I think such words against Palestinian should be aginst Ovadia and his followers.We are fidup with such relgious figures
This fool is not fool he is a rterrorist like Osama.
As long as secularism is not practiced entirely and as long as the mullahs, imams, rabbis, popes and patriarchs deal with politics and the government affairs. It looks like there will be no peace in the world.
Please compare Israel's reaction to Ovadia Yosef's unmistakably hateful remarks with Germany's reaction to Thilo Sarrazin's statements about Jews, Arabs, and Turks. http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/german-central-banker-criticized-for-anti-semitic-remarks-1.310854
Israelie politicians could - and should - distance themselves from these remarks and condem them! ... They are used by all Arab and Iranian media to say "See, what the zionists do to us?! See that there foreign policy is just a realisation of their spritual racism!" ... Israel has to silence these voices by condemming such stupid remarks on a very high lever (PM, ministers, etc.). Thanks for reading!
Most of us here have nothing to do with this guy.
Do you feel obligated to publicly condemn every opinion by a European cleric you don't agree with? Maybe Rav Ovadia's statement is far enough outside the mainstream to be immaterial to Israeli Street. Not everything merits outcry.
many of you in Israel vote for other parties who are happy to be in coalitiion with the rabbi's acolites and therein lies the problem. As the spiritual leader of current government ministers he has enormous influence. Not unlike the mullah's in Teheran who also influence policy from the sidelines. Jewish Fundamentalism in Israel by Israel Shahak published in 1999 examines the true nature of the rabbi's influence.
You have to do with what your government You claim to be a democracy) does and that!s bad enough!
How embarrassing, the government should do the most it can to distance itself from this clown.
"The 89-year-old is a respected religious scholar but is also known for vitriolic comments about Arabs, secular Jews, liberals, women and gays, among others." Who respects this hate monger? And why? Imagine the world condemnation had a German priest uttered the same words about Netanyahu and the Jewish people! And can you imagine Angela Merkel saying "The remarks of this priest do not reflect Merkel's views, nor do they reflect the stance of the German government,". Would this be enough to calm down the Jewish people or would Abe Foxman be up in arms calling for the prosecution of this anti-semite? Where is Abe Foxman & Elie Wiesel when you need them? Their silence is deafening and speaks volume about their double standards!
As a Jew and Israelli who loves this country, I am absolutely ashamed, appalled and disgusted that such an archaic xenophobic hate ridden demogogie is given a stage for his demented world views. That Natanyahu side steps the issue in order to keep the minions of this devil in his coaltion is equally appalling and that the ADL is conspicuously silent casts shame on all that this organization has fought for and against,
They are unseparabable twins of extremist world.
What's he got under his big hat anyway? It may not be a bomb, but it's explosive.
what kind of god that tells u the palestaian should parish is your god better than my god how rediculos that sound are we not human just like a jew or are u a better race i wounder
Has this senile ungrateful cleric already forgotten he was born an Arab in Iraq with the name Abdallah Youssef? Let him heed the Arabic proverb: Whoever denies his origin has no origin...
As a Moroccan Jew I can tell you that we are all Jews first. We are part of the Jewish people. Why do you think all the Jews from the middle east now live in Israel. In Farsi Jews are called Israel. Sorry. That bothers you?
A) Many from the M East chose not to flee to Israel, but to states further afield. B) Iranian Jews have refused to leave Iran. C) A great percentage of Jews who fled or chose to leave, live in "territories occupied" and never withdrawn from They live in territories NEVER legally annexed to Israel. I.e., OUTSIDE of Israel.
Somehow, it's not reassuring that we Jews have our own Taliban.
Tell Obamah and Hillary that R Ovadiah achieved his independence long ago. He does not depend on US Gvt approval, on US TV rating, couldn't care less about Obama-Hillary, and wouldn't agree to perform Chelsea's wedding. If this US team starts understanding that some people do not depend on them, the world will be a better place.
I am so embarrassed of this person and the fact that he represents Israel and the Jewish people is some way. This Rabbis words are awful and do not represent the views of Israelis or the Jewish people. We want peace with our neighbours! They are humans too.
He did not incite anyone Just wished for all the Jew haters to be destroyed by the plug ... not bullets... Is that too much ask?
There is nothing in this man that adheres to the basic tenets of Judaism .... One cardinal rule ('scuse the cardinal pun) do not unto others ... So let's see, he wishes a plague on the Palestinians = he wishes a plague on himself and Israelis .....cute, but quite idiotic...no?
destruction of a people. What is the galvanizing factor between these to men? Religion.
A ggod comparison? Is this what you want?
that's what will get.
The regime changes every four or eight years in the US. The Ba'athist regime in Iraq has gone, Iraq remains. Across the globe regimes come and go, the people, their states as a rule, do not.
Has he learnt something from the guy who sent Jews to Gas Chambers. Is it any wonder you are only fit to live in Europe? Even, an ediot like Ahmadnejad has not called for genocide against jews. And off course, you are Chosen of the Chosen, the Apple of G--d's eye.
It is not for the first time that this fool express his vision on a "final solutions"for Palestinians.Many brainwashed people hold the fool as a leader and his words as orders.This is the explanation for why Israel policy seems so strange in European eyes and non republican Americans.The hypocrisy is that one of the demands of Israel is that the Palestinians to stop they anti Semite propaganda.As usual is a lie and no one can quot such wave of demented hate as that of the "spiritual leader" or of Jewish propaganda full gas today on Islam Center in Manhattan which is "the Islamization of America" no such words are heard from Iranian mullah, but those are unanimously condemned as a threat for world peace, .It is time to speak realistic and to leave the myths about Israeli moral people,civilized,democrat,peace lover etc.endangered in a see of blind hate,"islamo-fascism" of primitive Arabs.
Israel has been pumping all the fresh water out from under Palestine and dumping all their raw sewage there, for years, now. If that's not biological ethnic cleansing, I don't know what is.
He did not use the word perish - he was speaking in Hebrew - he used the word meaning perish or "die". You are using the word "perish" in order to confuse ignorant Americans who think perish is some biblical affliction. He said that he hoped Abbas and the Palestinians would die. Why do you insist on using clever tricks to obfuscate the truth? That is why your enemies are multiplying.
And I suppose that incitement on PA TV does not harm peace efforts? When Hamas calls for a war of genocide against Jews, it does not harm peace efforts? Yosef holds no elective office. He is not a member of the government, nor does he hold an official government position. He speaks for no one but himself. Too much importance is attached to his comments.
Then why is it that every Israeli politician runs to Ovadia Yosef to get his blessings & consult with him prior to forming new governments? Just look at the pictures on the front page to see who takes pride in getting his picture taken with this man.
An unelected legislator - democracy?
And I suppose that incitement on PA TV does not harm peace efforts? When Hamas calls for a war of genocide against Jews, it does not harm peace efforts? Yosef holds no elective office. He is not a member of the government, nor does he hold an official government position. He speaks for no one but himself. Too much importance is attached to his comments.
Shas tries to ruin it. Last time it was the provocative declaration by Yishai just when the USA vice-pres was visiting Jerusalem. This time it is the scandalous declarations by Ovadia Yosef, just when Bibi is preparing for a summit with Abbas and Obama. There is definitely a method in the Shas madness.
Such hatred is a crime. How can this small-minded, disgraceful, evil personality be allowed to pretend to represent the Jewish people?
He thoght it is all easy to make promises before he formed his coalition. This is one of the bills he has to pay. These religious nuts on all sides. The State Department is right in condemning this and all other similar statements, whether Jewish, Moselm or Christians. They all thrive on the business of God, Allah and the Lord. They are the true enemies of civilization, reason and peace. In this case, Yousef does not reflect the true face of Judaism.
ridiculous nonsense we would not have to deal with yet another blow to peace talks. Let the man say what he wants, just don't pay any attention! Even my pets are more humane than this clown.
He is the Israeli version of Hamas and all other religious nuts and lunatics, all over the world. Every religion has its own share. I will call him Israel's own Ayatollah. No difference.
Someone once said to me that denial wasn't a river in Egypt. How right he was too, it most definitely resides in Israel! Can you imagine if this story had been reported by a paper from a Muslim country instead of Haaretz? "No, of course he never said that". "Its just evil, antisemitic Islamic propaganda", right? Can you imagine some Islamic cleric somewhere had said the very same thing about the Jews. Can you imagine what the likes of Glenn Beck would go through? He would have a coronary!! He and his KKK "friends of Israel" would saying things like, "look, this just proves (as if any were needed) how evil Islam is", "what a bunch or terrorists those Muslims are", right? The most disturbing thing is, this guy is actually "revered", and courted by the likes of Netanyahu et al... What's more, is that this guy's views/opinions are not isolated to just him. Although Israelis here are trying to talk down Yosef's comments, there are (disturbingly) PLENTY more where he came from... Did someone utter the word, "peace"....?
This is what happens when we all claim we are fighting for god, But God is one of all.
the palestinian leadership, speaking in arabic, has regularly called for the destruction of israel. their unrevoked and unemended charter says the same. so who is offensive? these guys are terrorists parading as diplomats. don't be fooled.
Bib, Barak and the rest of them looking for his approval and listen to his nonsense.
Zionist Ayatollah? Wishing the Palestinians to "perish" has been the Zionists' most consistent wish and demand. The Ayatollah speaks for the Zionists, so what else is new?
As soon as Obama capitulated totally to Netanyahu this year the opinions of the US government became totally irrelevant. One thing is clear from Haaretz's forums. The majority favor the objectives of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. The extermination of the Palestinians polluting Judea and Samaria, land God gave to Jews.
You should see the talkback on ynetnews, its even worse than here...people are actually cheering there and defending Rav Ovadia there and his incitement.
A mild rebuke from the US for the racist comments of the Shas spiritual leader, and no condemnation by the Israeli government. But if an Iranian cleric commented in a similar fashion, and issued a Fatwah against Jews, then the Israeli theocracy would be calling for more UN sanctions and the destruction of Iran.
wheres the palestinian watch t.v guys
Unfortunately it is not only Ovadia Yosef but without researching the opinion of many ultra orthodox rabbis and the people who blindly follow his teachings are on the same opinion. Natanyahu protecting his seat, being blackmailed by the political arm of Ovadia Yosef is a major tragedy. Is this the message God is sending to Ovadia Yosef?
i was very disturb by rabbi .sorry just ovadia comment.i haVE no more respect for those leading ultra orthodox .therefore ovadia should be arrested at once .apologize at once ,and as a democratic country our government should issue a statement of apology P>S the HARADIM BECOMING burden on our society from A TO Z .IT is about time to separet the state from the religious partys.other wise we are going to go down to earth with them in our covernement.what a shame .arrest him and acuse him and who ever .by promting hates .that the duty of our GOV AND THE COURT TO DO SO .KY ZERA ZERA .LET BE THIS TIME ONCE FOR ALL .NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW .i want to see ovadia in jail as soon as possible
Is he an ayatola or something? Who elected him to make rules for others? How did he get empowered? Is he a direct channel to the god-guy? Do they have lunch, text, what?
So do Christians. America's Christian Ayatollah's are Franklin Graham, James Hagee, Terry D. Jones, Glenn BEck, and Sarah Palin and Ann Coulter.
That is the traditional dress for the Sephardi Chief Rabbi. He is respected across the Jewish world for his unparalleled knowledge of Biblical-Jewish law sources . He is nothing short of a human computer, it is amazing to hear him rattle off sources in his speeches.
Entire world make anti-semitic comments like this every day. Why not Rabbi Yosef?
are you 5 years old?
It gives the rest of us an insight as to what drives the Israeli mindset. It isn't pretty. Throughout the centuries, the most horrific crimes have been committed by those who had god on their side. This man represents the latest attempt to control through religion. He is clearly hate filled. Better we should know the extent of his lunatic ramblings, then have them hidden and shake our heads uncomprehendingly when the state of Israel acts on them.
...why they keep firing rockets.
We can read Hamas' charter.
It's too bad that the State Department can't condemn the Arab and Muslim spokesmen who make anti-Israeli and anti-Jewish statements. Double standards anyone?
because thy dont considerate them as a democratic country .i guess so.
90 percent of their condemnations is of Palestinian incitement. you just aren't paying attention. The truth is that there is just as much Israeli incitement against Palestinians as there is Palestinian incitement against Israel. But we Jews stay silent when our own make egregious and reprehensible statements. double standards anyone?
Well, to be honest netanyahu DISTANCED himself, not actually condemning. Does this make you feel better? Anti-occupation statements are not anti-semitic, not everything that is said against the state of israel is automatically anti-semitism, much of the criticism is fair and straight to the point.
widen your horizens and intellect
I agree with previous remarks by the Israeli government regarding incitement to violence. Remarks that insite genocidal acts should be heavily condemned and acted upon. Time to send in the most moral army in the World to deal with lunatics like Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. I expect that Israel's Supreme Court will by issuing a warrant for his arrest any moment.
I hope the "supreme court" does issue a warrant for the arrest of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Shallita, BUT Its not becuase i'm agains't him and what he said. If it would happen it would be the end of secular rule over Israel. Their would be a revolution the likes of which you havnt seen even from the Arabs.
And that will be the end of Israel. Be careful what you wish for.
then you know you have a serious problem...
when week in and week out hundreds of Iman's preach in their sermons,that jews are pigs and dogs and have to be slaughtered like animals, never heard a word of critisism from those hypocrites at the state department
It's pigs and monkeys. In this regard Jews are lucky. Christians too, in that they are dhimmis and entitled to some rights if we pay our jizya. Most others, are third-class citizens who may be freely abused. .
As an American who believes in peace, I find Chaim's remarks about our own foreign service extremely offensive becuase it is our own State Department and voice on foreign affairs. How do you want our DOS to respond to dangerous remarks on the eve of peace talks between the two sides? Personally, I do not believe that Rabbi Yousef's remarks, with all my due respect to his theological position, represent the true face, letter and spirit of Judaism. Judaism is way above that.
what is in your mind ? how you compare us to imans or any other dictator ship countrys.or to a terrorist organization.we are a democratic country and we spouse to behave and say like one ,P>S to bad for us ovadia comment .the court should put him behind bars .strip him from his title as a rbbai.period .i am very ashame from his comment .
who doesn't know how the US government is even designed, let alone functions. Probably thinks Beck is the messiah, too.
The Rabbi and his followers who helped Netanyahu get into power now want him to honour his promises. Just how sincere those promises were are about to be tested!
A question of politics friend. The Shas party forms part of Netanyahu's coalition so the genocidal racist bigoted comments of its spiritual leader must be tolerated. Why after all a civilized democracy is to be emulated.
While I can understand the hatred and anger towards the enemy that kills our children, threatens our families and sends rockets on our cities, such comments harm the peace process and lowers Israel's moral high ground over the terrorist tactics of the Palestinians to hurt the Israeli people and gain world attention. If Israel is to maintain it's moral high ground such comments should not be made manifest. Although it's not really related as people with any background can make such remarks, I'd like to point out that I despise any zealous religious people, no matter which religion,
Do you honestly think Israel occupies it? VTW, I enjoyed your post about the hedgehog. I responded but the post wasn't published.....
I'm afraid don't exactly understand your post, occupies 'it?' what is 'it?' and what hedgehog?!
This respected religious scholar should be shunned by every Jew on the planet. People who speak in this manner no matter who they are are evil personified, and anyone who disputes it is evil as well.
Is that Netanyahu won't condemn them. And we are supposed to believe he's a partner in peace?
he will not condemn and after say he is sorry.shaas ovadia party is like hamas with a huge difference it has no military wing to carry out the rabi sermons.
Did I ever hear you or your colleagues condemn Arafat, Nasser, Ahmenidjad, Assad, Nassrahlah? I don't believe so. So better shut up.
I cannot recall one instance where a Rice State Department would have taken offense, let alone even noticed Josef's remark. I guess under Hillary, all genocides are equally bad. Under Rice, some were more equal than others.
The bottom line problem is that the Arab world does not believe that Israel is a legitimate nation. But then people do not know or remember history. They resort to blood shed when there is no fair solution in sight. Pre 1967 lines would be a good start, with division of the capital. With military technology playning a greter role in some of the Arab nations, it will only be a matter of time before a holy war wipes out too many on each side. The Arab world will win. Humankind is the most dangerous animal on the planet, and will probably destroy itself.
PLEASE LET HIM AT LEAST MAKE ONE STATEMENT
Are part of the ruling coalition?
has always sought to destroy the State of Israel, since the beginning. They now have a strong ally in Clinton, BHO, and the House Jews...not to mention Haaretz. Remember all the rocket attacks on civilians in the past months? Not one State Dep't comment; the constant calls for the destruction of Israel by Arab MKs? Not one comment. Or how about those democracy seekers in Iran massacred by the Ayatollahs? Oops, again SD silence. And the butchery in the Congo and Dharfur. Obviously not on Clinton's SD radar. I forgot...they are too busy arranging bowing sessions for BHO with the Saudi king, not to mention attacking States that have been forced to protect their own citizens like Arizona and Texas. It's ok PJ, I am sure the Saudi royals have a great position waiting for you - maybe even a Jew slave or two
That some genocides are OK? That is what Josef was proposing and the State Department was taking exception to. Hillary took exception to Ahmadinijad's remarks, too. But you seem to be saying that equal treatment for an Israeli leader is not OK. Some are equal, but some are more equal than others? Why is "Never Again" supposed to be, except for Palestinians, Chris?
But why is anyone paying attention to this obvious nut job? Come on, we all know the world is full of wackos and the middle east has more than it's share, but I don't exclude my own USA either. But why do we give publicity to the mad
religeous leaders have always threatened with hell and damnation. nobody beleives them anymore, come on, this is the 21th century.
'God should strike them with a plague' of course, the US has yet to realize that islam is an enemy of the west, and will suffer from more attempts at a '9/11'
Islam is not an enemy of the west just as Judaism is not an enemy of the west. It is radicals on all sides that go to extremes and attack and kill others based on their own warped world views. It is the connection of honest and reasonable people from all views that will bring about peace. Mutual respect, rather than demonising every one from the group that is not you, is the solution.
is the supporter of the Jewish State of Israel.
Rabbi Yosef is probably suffering from senile dementia and/ or advanced psychiatric issues. As a Muslim, I can assure you that secularism is the way to go. Seperate church & state. Whenever you mix religion and politics, nothing good comes out of both..Shalom..
And its not an exaggeration. Rav Ovadia Shalitta, is a genius. Only ignorant and hateful people would utter non-sense agains't such a genius and great scholar.
Example. Hitlers Mein Kapf. Knowing that book does not make anyone right. It is what they say and do that is important. What this man has said is deeply offensive to anyone who has a speck of decency.
Hmmm.. My own computer knows about 1 million books by heart.....That do not make it a genius or a great scholar.... Intelligence is not measured in capabillity to remember! It seems you are very easily impressed?
He may be an impressive scholar but remarks like these shows he has learned little.
Dr Seuss doesn't count. Anyone that considers this guy a genius is the ignorant one. His beliefs are detrimental to the world and especially Jews.
But he also happens to be a bigot and not to be a politician. His scholarship in Torah does not prevent one from rejecting his bigotry and his politics. Wagner was a musical genius. His bigotry and his politics sucked.
Nobody takes the rantings of a lunitic seriously. The man has fought a long battle and should quietly disengage from the war against younger and smarter adverseries.
lol. Do you even know about whom your talking about? Do you know 1% of 1 % the information that Rav Ovadia Yosef knows? He knows 50,000 books by heart, when you can beat that then talk.
So he is an old educated fool
Now that's cool, but does he understand anything? And has he actually read anything written after the 16th century?
Did the Revevrand Wrights views stop Obama being elected. Both are fools.
In the US, the followers of such a spiritual leader would have been kicked out of the government and prohibited from being elected again. How can Israel criticize Muslim clerics promoting violence while, basically, having this rabbi's voice in its leadership?
and Obama remains siilent.
While our ko-kos throw words of hatred, they follow theirs with actions.
Pl give some examples. If they say this every day, I did not saw those comment in last few months.
Arab leaders say this every day? So let the honorable Rabbi be a hamasnik.
a misogynistic, homophobic Racist bigot but the question we must all ask is, "Is he a nice man?"
as long as things are kept under tight controls. It's over. Just watch out for the wack jobs. They're a danger for everybody.
Are in control in the USA, Israel and Gaza.
He is a crazy person isn't he ??