The nosi of the Great Rabbinical Court, Rishon L’Tzion Rav Dovid Yosef, issued a forceful rebuttal on Sunday evening following allegations raised earlier by Rav Kalman Ber regarding political interference in the appointment of dayanim. Rav Yosef firmly rejected the claims of improper influence and emphasized his personal responsibility for all judicial appointments.
“If someone feels threatened, let them say so,” declared Rav Yosef in a public statement. “I am the President of the Great Rabbinical Court and I personally take full responsibility for every appointment. No unworthy dayan will be appointed to the Great Rabbinical Court … I guarantee that. I am familiar with the rulings of every candidate, and I have thoroughly studied the character of each one. These are individuals of outstanding caliber.”
The controversy erupted earlier in the day after recordings were released in which Rav Kalman Ber claimed that appointments to the Great Rabbinical Court had been made under political pressure, and even threats, allegedly from Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich. In response, new recordings emerged of Rav Yosef speaking at a judicial appointments committee meeting, where he categorically dismissed the accusations.
During his remarks, Rav Yosef detailed the seven candidates he supports for promotion, praising their qualifications, scholarship, and judicial records:

• Rav Avraham Shalosh, Raavad of Haifa – “A brilliant young talmid chacham, appointed temporarily purely on merit.”
• Rav Dovid Berdugo, dayan in Yerushalayim – “28 years of judicial experience, with unique contributions to halachic rulings.”
• Rav Tzvi Yehuda Ben Yaakov – “Among the most senior dayanim, already served a temporary term on the Supreme Rabbinical Court.”
• Rav Shneur Pardes, Raavad of Netanya – “A powerhouse in Torah, known for his precise rulings that have stood up on appeal.”
• Rav Meir Freiman, Av Beis Din of Yerushalayim – “I met him only recently, but he has proven to be one of the most outstanding dayanim.”
• Rav Yigal Lerer – “A veteran in the system, whose Torah greatness is exceptional.”
• Rav Moshe Amsalem – “A true reformer in the dayanus world. His judgment is particularly impressive.”

In addition, MK Penina Tamano-Shata, who was mentioned in the leaked recordings as someone who allegedly faced political threats, also dismissed the claims. “There were no threats. If someone feels threatened, they should speak up,” she said.
Regarding Rav Kalman Ber’s assertion that the Dati Leumi community was not consulted during the process, officials involved in the rabbinic appointments deal stressed that the moves were coordinated with leading rabbinic figures. Among them were Rav Yaakov Shapiro, Rosh Yeshiva of Mercaz HaRav and a senior figure in the religious Zionist Torah world, as well as numerous other prominent rabbanim and dayanim.
{Matzav.com Israel}