MK Moshe Feiglin
MK Moshe FeiglinIsrael news photo: Flash 90

A longtime associate of MK Moshe Feiglin, Shmuel Sackett, is angry with Minister Naftali Bennett (Bayit Yehudi) for his failure to credit Feiglin with the idea of replacing the two-chief-rabbi system with one chief rabbi.

Sackett, who co-founded Feiglin's Manhigut Yehudit faction in Likud and continues to work closely with Feiglin, was irked by Arutz Sheva's report Wednesday, according to which Bennett intends to propose a bill that would turn the idea into the law of the land.

Bennett “made it look as if the idea was 100% his idea,” said Sackett, who added acerbically, “I have always said that if you want to know what Naftali Bennett will say in two months from now, make sure you read what Moshe Feiglin is saying today.”

He pointed to an Arutz Sheva piece on April 18, titled "Feiglin proposes move to single Israel chief Rabbi"

“Don't get me wrong,” Sackett added. “I welcome Minister Bennett's support in this proposed law and am very excited that he will be helping it become reality. My only point is one of honesty, decency and truth.

"Minister Bennett would have accomplished the same thing by simply stating: 'I will endorse Moshe Feiglin's law that proposes one chief Rabbi.' Taking credit for something that someone else does is not ethical and I feel the need to point this out to the public.

“Moshe Feiglin has met with countless people on this issue already, has received tremendous support across Israel's political spectrum and has already written a draft for the wording of the law. While plagiarism is known as the best form of compliment, I prefer to be unique and honest,” Sackett explained.

Arutz Sheva has requested Minister Bennett's response.