Dismissal of chief rabbi on bribery charge to be debated by justice ministry.
By ELIE LESHEMmetzger profile 298.88(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
The High Court of Justice on Monday rejected a petition by Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger that demanded the revocation of Attorney-General Menahem Mazuz's recommendation that the chief rabbi be dismissed from office. In the appeal, Metzger claimed he was not given a hearing before the decision in his case was reached.
Monday's ruling came after Mazuz changed the wording of the report he had written on the Metzger case. The question of whether or not the chief rabbi will be relieved from office will be debated by the Justice Ministry.
Mazuz submitted his recommendation that Metzger resign his post as chief rabbi approximately six months ago, advising Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann to initiate proceedings for his removal if he failed to resign.
Metzger, who is under suspicion of having unlawfully received reduced rates from hotels in Jerusalem, decided to petition the High Court in order to forestall the possibility that he would be dismissed from office.
In a hearing on the Metzger case conducted by the High Court of Justice about six months ago, Supreme Court President Dorit Beinisch reprimanded the attorney-general, saying his recommendation would severely restrict the justice minister's maneuverability in the case. The presiding judges urged Mazuz to compromise with Metzger and arrive at an agreed-upon formula for the report.
Mazuz, however, did not amend the disputed clauses and the redrafting of the report still maintained that Metzger should step down.
if(catID != 151){
var cont = `Take Israel home with the new Jerusalem Post Store
