Deputy Defense Minister Rabbi Eli Ben-Dahan (Jewish Home) slammed the haredi demonstrations against enlistment in the IDF which have occurred around the country this week.
Rabbi Den-Dahan criticized the ‘Yerushalmi Faction’, a Litvish movement led by Rabbi Shmuel Auerbach that is staunchly opposed to haredi enlistment in the IDF, for instigating the protests and riots, which have blocked roads, led to the injuries of several police officers, and led to dozens of arrests of rioters.
“There is no decree of recruitment,” Rabbi Ben-Dahan told Army Radio. “Everyone who wants to study Torah can study Torah. We are talking about those who walk around the streets and do not study Torah.”
Rabbi Ben-Dahan expressed his disgust with the violence at several of the demonstrations, including an incident in which a haredi soldier was attacked.
“It’s an attitude that shows real ingratitude. There are people who do not sleep day and night to protect you.
And this is you’re attitude towards them]? This is the thanks?”
“They are using the Torah to act [in a way which is] contrary to it. They are trying to sanctify God’s name, but they are really desecrating God’s name.
[They are turning] the Torah into a tool for hurting others,” Rabbi Ben-Dahan continued.
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— יאיר שרקי (@yaircherki) February 9, 2017
