Rav Ovadia Yosef
Rav Ovadia YosefIsrael news photo: Flash 90

The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Elyakim Rubinstein, has asked the Attorney General and Legal Advisor to the Government, Attorney Yehuda Weinstein, to look into complaints that Shas is distributing amulets as part of its election propaganda.

The complaint is about a Tfilat Haderech kit, which includes the prayer uttered by devout Jews as they set out on a journey, as well as amulets signed by Shas spiritual head Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

Rubinstein forbade the handing out of any more amulets but allowed the distribution of the CDs that are part of the kit.

Rubinstein wrote, "The text written on the card that features Tfilat Haderech next to Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's picture raises the concern that potential voters may be influenced by the connection between the verse – 'may G-d guard over your going and coming from now to eternity,' which is signed by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, above the caption, 'Shas – Maran has decided so,' and the manner of voting."

"The accumulation of these things justifies handing the matter over to the Attorney General," he added.