Shas-Backed Rabbi Zevadia Cohen Appointed Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv After Nine-Year Vacancy

After a nine-year vacancy, Shas-backed Rabbi Zevadia Cohen has been elected Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv, defeating liberal challenger Haim Amsalem.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 26, 2026, 12:11 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Times of Israel

Ending a Decade of Rabbinical Vacancy in Tel Aviv

The city of Tel Aviv has officially appointed a new chief rabbi following an almost nine-year period without a permanent spiritual leader. The Religious Services Ministry announced that Rabbi Zevadia Cohen was selected for the post through a secret ballot cast by a 64-member committee. This body was comprised of municipal council members and representatives from the ministry, tasked with choosing from a field of 16 candidates. Cohen’s appointment marks a significant milestone in the current government’s broader effort to fill dozens of similar vacancies across Israeli municipalities.

The Political Dynamics of the Secret Ballot

The election of Rabbi Cohen was the result of a decisive 37-vote victory within the selection committee. His primary challenger, Rabbi Haim Amsalem, was widely viewed as a more liberal alternative and garnered support from a diverse plurality of parties on the city council, including Yesh Atid, Meretz, and Religious Zionism. Despite this broad legislative backing for Amsalem, Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai reportedly threw his support behind Cohen. The Mayor’s office indicated that a formal statement regarding the election results would be issued following the official announcement.

Deep Ties to the Yosef Rabbinical Dynasty

Rabbi Cohen’s selection reinforces the influence of the Shas party and the prominent Yosef family within Israel’s religious infrastructure. Cohen is known to be closely affiliated with the Yosef dynasty, maintaining strong ties to former chief rabbi Yitzhak Yosef. This lineage traces back to the late Sephardic sage and Shas founder Ovadia Yosef and extends to the current Chief Rabbi, David Yosef. Like his opponent, Cohen currently resides in Jerusalem rather than the city he has been appointed to lead.