New police chief rabbi opposed to renting apartments to homosexuals

“I call on Erdan to annul Brachyahu’s appointment. It is not commensurate with the values of the police and it is not commensurate with the values of the State of Israel,” Zionist Union MK says.

By JEREMY SHARON
Updated: OCTOBER 13, 2016 00:40
Israel Police logo (photo credit: Courtesy)
Israel Police logo
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Rabbi Rami Brachyahu, who came under fire after a July Ynet report revealed that Brachyahu had issued a ruling in a weekly pamphlet that it was prohibited for anyone in the settlement to let an apartment to homosexuals, has been appointed as chief rabbi of the Israeli Police.
Brachyahu, until now municipal chief rabbi of the Talmon settlement, has also served as the head of the “Believing in the Police” program which is designed to integrate religious men into the Police Force and provide police personnel with training in matters pertaining to Jewish law as they arise during police work.
In response to the outcry over the ruling, Brachyahu said that “we cannot a couple to live among the community who are incompatible with the law of nature and the values of Torah and Jewish law.”
Brachyahu also signed a letter earlier this year in support of Rabbi Yigal Levenstein, head of the pre-military academy in Eli who described gays as “perverts,” and is also opposed to female service in the IDF.
His appointment was strongly criticized by Zionist Union MK Ksenia Svetlova for comments the rabbi has made in the past regarding homosexuals. In light of these positions, Svetlova called for the cancellation of his appointment, saying that there were many moderate rabbis more deserving of the position.
“Time after time we see that the most extreme and least fitting candidate getting [public] appointments,” said Svetlova.
“I call on Erdan to annul Brachyahu’s appointment. It is not commensurate with the values of the police and it is not commensurate with the values of the State of Israel.”
The rabbi was selected by an appointment committee set up in May, due to his educational credentials and “ability in decision making on Jewish law.”
Insp.-Gen. Roni Alsheich subsequently recommended Brachyahu for the position to Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan who approved the appointment on Monday.
Brachyahu’s appointment was welcomed by the religious-Zionist rabbinical association Tzohar, of which Brachyahu is a member, who said that the rabbi had always acted with “sensitivity and understanding” toward the various issues he has dealt with in a professional capacity.
“With our many years of familiarity with his work and his approach, we feel confident that the Israel Police have selected a candidate who will be open to the interests of all and his strengths as a spiritual and personal leader will significantly benefit the advancement of the police as a national force proudly defending its citizens.”


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