’Israeli’ Chief Rabbi Accused of Bribery, Theft

“Israel’s” fraud squad on Thursday questioned Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger on suspicion of bribery, theft, breach of trust and money laundering, a police statement said.

Metzger’s questioning at the “Israeli” fraud unit headquarters, south of Tel Aviv, comes after months of covert investigations involving three other suspects, according to Zionist entity’s police.

On Thursday, police “searched the homes and offices of the suspects, including those of Rabbi Metzger,” the statement said. “Documents, computers and other materials were seized.”

“Israeli” officers questioned Metzger on suspicion of “receiving bribes, theft, breach of trust and money laundering,” the statement read, adding the three other suspects would appear before a magistrates’ court near Tel Aviv later Thursday.

“Israel” has two chief rabbis, the Ashkenazi and Sephardi, whose responsibilities include “Israeli” rabbinic courts and regulating the food supervision industry.
Metzger was voted into the prestigious position in 2003 thanks to the support of the senior ultra-Orthodox rabbinic authority at the time.

In 2005 he was questioned on suspicion of receiving benefits from a hotel in Occupied al-Quds in return for favors, and “Israeli” police recommended that he be tried for fraud and breach of trust.

But then- “Israeli” attorney general Menachem Mazuz, fearing an unsuccessful prosecution, in 2006 decided against serving an indictment.
Instead he wrote a scathing report about the rabbi, accusing Metzger of lying to police and recommending that he resign immediately.