"What if there was a similar call in Berlin against renting properties to Jews?" asks Rabbi Steinman.
A leading Haredi rabbi, chair of the Degel Hatorah Council of Sages, Aaron Leib Steinman, has refused to endorse a racist edict issued by dozens of rabbis forbidding the selling or renting of property to non-Jews, especially Palestinians.
Steinman reportedly refused an audience with Safed Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu earlier in December, when the latter arrived to pray at the former's courtyard in an attempt to convince the Bnei Brak spiritual leader to sign the letter instructing Jews not to rent or sell property to Arabs or any other non-Jews.
Eliyahu is considered among the most racist rabbis in occupied Palestine as he considers the lives of non-Jews, including children, as having no sanctity.
According to the Israeli press, "As soon as Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu introduced himself, Rabbi Steinman, who knew why he was being approached, said 'I won't sign,' and immediately left the room." Steinman, who is 96 years old, then discussed the right-wing initiative with members of his inner circle.
"They are making a fierce nationalistic statement. We will not irritate others, that is not the Haredi way. There are things that should not be done; what if there would be a similar call in Berlin against renting properties to Jews? Where is the public conscience? What will this do to Jews around the world? We must act responsibly."
Rabbi refuses to endorse racist edict
Rabbi refuses to endorse racist edict
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