Former Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel, Yitzhak Yosef, has publicly criticized a recent High Court of Justice ruling, calling the judges "heretics." The court's decision, issued in late March 2026, restricts organized Passover prayer services at the Western Wall's egalitarian plaza, citing public safety and order concerns during the expected high-volume holiday period.
Rabbi Yosef, a prominent halakhic authority and son of the late Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, made the remarks in a weekly sermon. He argued that the court's intervention in prayer arrangements at the Jewish holy site was an overreach and contrary to religious law. His comments have ignited a fresh debate over the relationship between state institutions and religious authority in Israel.
The High Court's ruling responded to a petition concerning the allocation of space for mixed-gender prayer groups during the Passover holiday. The court stated that the existing regulations for the egalitarian section, managed by the Jewish Agency and the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, were sufficient and that creating additional, temporary structures for large organized services could pose logistical and safety issues.
Political and religious figures have reacted strongly to Rabbi Yosef's statement. Supporters from conservative religious circles have echoed his sentiment, while others, including some lawmakers, have condemned the language as inflammatory and damaging to the standing of the judiciary. The office of the current Sephardi Chief Rabbi has not issued an official comment on the former rabbi's statement.
