Breaking

The Israel Defence Forces is investigating whether Rabbi Dov Lior’s halakhic ruling permitting Jews to pick olives from Palestinian orchards in the West Bank constitutes criminal incitement and encouragement of violent offences. The rabbi, associated with the Otzma Yehudit party, issued the controversial religious ruling that has drawn sharp criticism from the military establishment.

IDF officials stated the ruling ‘encourages violent crimes, theft and incitement’ and have determined a criminal investigation should examine whether there are grounds for prosecution. The military views the halakhic decision as potentially crossing legal and security red lines regarding settler-Palestinian tensions in the occupied territories.

This marks a significant escalation in tensions between the religious right and Israel’s security establishment over settlement-related activities in the West Bank, with the military taking the unusual step of formally examining potential criminal liability for a prominent religious leader’s public ruling.

Sources: Walla, Times of Israel, Ynet, www.israelhayom.co.il, Jerusalem Post