Yisrael Beiteinu responds to Mordechai Ben David: 'Moral disgrace and incitement to murder'

The Yisrael Beiteinu party responded sharply to remarks by Hasidic singer Mordechai Ben David, who said in a podcast interview that they should have cut off the head of party chairman Avigdor Lieberman. The party called the remarks 'a moral disgrace and incitement to murder' and expressed confidence in victory in the upcoming elections.

The Yisrael Beiteinu party responded sharply today (Sunday) to remarks made by Hasidic singer Mordechai Ben David against party chairman Avigdor Lieberman, during a Yiddish-language interview on a podcast hosted by journalist Shlomi Zayants. Ben David referred to the claim that the late Rebbe of Ribanitz served as Lieberman's mohel in his childhood, and said: 'They should have cut off his head instead.' The party stated: 'The late Rebbe of Ribanitz would be ashamed that his name is being used to spread hatred and incite to murder Avigdor Lieberman. This is a moral disgrace; proper conduct precedes the Torah.' They added: 'We are believers, sons of believers, that we will win the upcoming elections, put an end to draft evasion, and bring order to the country.' The response comes amid an online uproar over Ben David's remarks, which were published last Thursday. In the interview, Ben David said: 'Avigdor Lieberman claimed that the Rebbe was his mohel, whether true or not. I think he didn't cut in the right place. They should have cut off his head instead.' The podcast host chuckled at the remarks but qualified them, noting that despite Lieberman's attitude toward the religious public, he still holds some respect for the rabbanit. In response, Ben David said that there are photos of Lieberman visiting the Rebbe's grave: 'Yes, there are also photos that he was there several times at the grave. Glad to hear, I hope he returns to religion.'