Is it permissible to vote for an Arab for the Knesset? The new halachic ruling that is stirring the web

The public debate surrounding the possibility of an Arab candidate like Yoseph Haddad running for the Knesset is now also receiving a halachic perspective from the Tzohar rabbinical organization. The organization seeks to clarify that from a halachic perspective, there is no obstacle to electing a non-Jew to the Knesset, as long as it concerns a citizen who is loyal to the State of Israel, its laws, and its sovereignty.

The remarks come against the backdrop of Rabbi Shlomo Aviner's reference to the possible candidacy of Yoseph Haddad in the Knesset elections, in which he said: "A gentile cannot be a leader in Israel." In Tzohar, they emphasize that contrary to the claims heard on the subject, the greatest halachic authorities have already dealt with the question and determined that it is permissible to elect to the Knesset even those who are not Jewish.

The organization refers directly to Haddad and emphasizes his activity for the sake of Israel.

"Yoseph Haddad is a person who has acted and continues to act greatly for the State of Israel, in the country and in the world, and was even wounded during his military service in defense of the state," was stated by Tzohar.

The organization even brings an example from the Tanakh period to illustrate the argument that loyalty and devotion to the state are not necessarily measured by a person's origin. According to them, King David appointed Ittai the Gittite, who was a foreigner, as a senior commander in his army, due to his loyalty and activity for the sake of the king and the kingdom.

According to the Tzohar rabbis, even in the State of Israel there are citizens who are not Jewish who serve the state, protect it, and contribute to its resilience. Therefore, according to them, giving public trust to such people does not stand in contradiction to the Jewish character of the state.

"The greatest authorities, and first and foremost Rabbi Herzog and Rabbi Waldenberg, have already determined that it is permissible to elect to the Knesset even those who are not Jewish, and that the restrictions on appointing a 'king' do not refer to modern democratic rule," the organization explains.

In Tzohar, they add that throughout the years of the state, public representatives who were not Jewish have also served in the Knesset, and therefore the very act of voting for an Arab candidate does not stand in contradiction to the principles upon which the state is based.

"Precisely in a period when there are elements in the non-Jewish public who incite against the State of Israel and against the possibility of living together, we must strengthen and empower those Arab citizens who recognize the State of Israel, its Jewish identity, and its sovereignty, and act for its security and prosperity," it was stated.

By doing so, the Tzohar rabbis seek to turn the discussion surrounding Haddad's candidacy from a question concerning origin alone into a question of loyalty to the state, while presenting the possibility of integrating Arab citizens who are loyal to Israel into the political system as part of the resilience of Israeli democracy.