Protest against Hod HaSharon rabbi's inauguration: police remove demonstrators

A disturbance developed this evening (Sunday) outside the "Ulamay HaAhuza" hall in Hod HaSharon while the inauguration ceremony of Rabbi Erez Elharar as the city's chief rabbi was taking place, with the participation of Israel's Chief Rabbis and public figures. Outside the hall, a protest was held against the event, and at a certain point, some of the demonstrators attempted to approach the entrance to disrupt the proceedings. Police forces on the scene acted to remove them, and the protest subsequently ended.

The inauguration ceremony for the city rabbi of Hod HaSharon turned into a scene of protest: while the official ceremony in honor of Rabbi Erez Elharar taking office was being held, demonstrators gathered outside. Police forces were deployed, and after some protesters tried to approach the entrance, officers acted to remove them from the scene.

Inside the hall, the ceremony continued as planned. The event was attended by the two Chief Rabbis of Israel, Rabbi David Yosef and Rabbi Kalman Ber, alongside other rabbis and public figures. During the ceremony, Yehuda Avidan, Acting Director General of the Ministry of Religious Services, addressed the protest taking place outside and sought to convey a message of reconciliation.

"Not thanks to those sitting here, and not thanks to those sitting behind us, but thanks to the entire city that wanted him because of his work, because he is the rabbi of the entire city. He is the rabbi of the secular, of the religious, of each and every one. Thanks to this, they want him and wanted him. I say to you, to our brothers who are outside, we came here this evening to bring the people of Israel closer, to bring hearts closer. A month of mercy and forgiveness, and we are all brothers, and that is how we will continue to be brothers."

The ceremony comes about seven months after the election of Rabbi Erez Elharar to the position. In December 2025, Elharar was elected as the rabbi of Hod HaSharon after 16 years during which the city did not have an official city rabbi. He received 24 votes from the members of the electing body.

Rabbi Elharar is one of the heads of the "Yechave Da'at" kollel and a student of Chief Rabbi David Yosef. Even before his election, he was active in Hod HaSharon and served as a community rabbi in the city.