Rabbi Ya'akov Ariel, Chief Rabbi of Ramat Gan and head of the Tzohar organization, said Tuesday that he disagreed with a letter signed by some 50 rabbis of cities and towns in Israel against the sale or rent of homes and property to non-Jews in the Land of Israel. Rabbi Ariel said he based his position on a Halachic ruling by former Chief Rabbi Herzog, who wrote that despite the Biblical command against giving non-Jews “status” in the Land of Israel, one could not discriminate against non-Jews nowadays, if only to prevent discrimination against Jews in other countries.
He added that he opposed a ban on “normal” sales and rentals to non-Jews, but if it became clear that the purchase of property was being used by non-Jews to endanger Jewish sovereignty in Israel, then such sales would of course be banned.
He added that he opposed a ban on “normal” sales and rentals to non-Jews, but if it became clear that the purchase of property was being used by non-Jews to endanger Jewish sovereignty in Israel, then such sales would of course be banned.