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Former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef Urges Ultra-Orthodox Jews Not to Join IDF, Sparks Outrage from Netanyahu, Lapid, Gantz, and Herzog

Dec 15, 2024, 07:22 AM

Former Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, the spiritual leader of the Shas Party, has sparked controversy in Israel by advising unemployed ultra-Orthodox Jews not to join the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). His remarks, which were made during a time of heightened national security concerns, have drawn sharp criticism from both the government and opposition leaders. Rabbi Yosef stated that even those who are idle should not serve in the military, citing the secularization of yeshiva students who previously enlisted. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office condemned Yosef's comments as 'unacceptable and deserving of complete condemnation,' emphasizing that Israel will not tolerate any form of draft evasion. Opposition leader Yair Lapid described the call for draft evasion during wartime as crossing a 'red line,' endangering democracy and the nation's future. National Unity head Benny Gantz labeled the statements as 'dangerous and illegitimate,' stressing that everyone must serve the state. President Isaac Herzog also expressed disapproval, rejecting any call for refusal to serve. This controversy comes amidst ongoing debates about the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews, with the Israeli Supreme Court ruling in June for their mandatory enlistment, similar to other Israeli citizens.