During the Yom Yerushalayim celebration at Yeshivas Mercaz HaRav, the Rishon Letzion and Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rav Dovid Yosef, delivered a fiery speech attacking Israel’s Supreme Court over its involvement in matters relating to the Kosel and the authority of the Chief Rabbinate.

Speaking before hundreds of talmidim, rabbonim, and public officials, Rav Yosef accused the court of showing contempt for halacha and attempting to assert control over matters of holiness traditionally guided by Torah leadership.

At the center of his remarks, Rav Yosef revealed that the Chief Rabbinate had submitted a detailed psak halacha to the Supreme Court regarding the sanctity of the Kosel, but said the submission was effectively ignored.

“We submitted a halachic ruling, but there was no response. They simply show contempt for halacha and for the rabbinate,” the Rav declared emotionally.

According to Rav Yosef, the justices operate with the belief that they alone possess authority over the holy sites of the Jewish people, while marginalizing the role of Gedolei Yisroel and the Chief Rabbinate.

Rav Yosef then directly addressed ongoing efforts to alter the prayer arrangements at the Kosel, particularly amid disputes involving the Reform movement and the southern prayer plaza.

“The Kosel does not belong to the Reform movement and not to the judges of the Supreme Court,” he said to loud applause from the crowd, before adding emphatically: “It shall never be.”

The remarks came amid growing tension surrounding the so-called Kosel compromise and efforts to formalize expanded prayer areas near the southern section of the Kosel plaza.

In recent months, the Supreme Court issued an interim ruling stating that a previous government decision regarding the southern prayer area remains in effect, while instructing state authorities to move forward with permits and construction plans connected to the site.

The ruling triggered political backlash, including support from Justice Minister Yariv Levin for advancing legislation related to the Kosel in the Knesset.

Although the gathering at Mercaz HaRav celebrated Israel’s military strength following operations against Iran, including Operation Rising Lion and Operation Roar of the Lion, Rav Yosef stressed that national strength must remain rooted in Torah and halacha.

According to the Chief Rabbi, disrespect toward the rabbinate and Jewish tradition weakens the true spiritual foundation of Yerushalayim and the Jewish people.

The speech joins a series of sharp public comments Rav Yosef has delivered in recent months on political and religious issues.

Over the past year, he repeatedly warned the chareidi public not to place excessive trust in political promises regarding the draft law, at one point asking pointedly: “Why do you believe Bibi?”

At the same time, Rav Yosef has also issued broader calls aimed at strengthening Jewish observance among the general public. In recent weeks, he urged both the Prime Minister and Israel’s President to join President Trump’s initiative promoting Shabbos observance as a historic opportunity to strengthen Shemiras Shabbos in Israel and throughout the Jewish world.

{Matzav.com}