Shas rabbi ordered haredi IDF commander to resign from military - report

Jerusalem Post/Israel NewsA rabbi reportedly told the commander to “leave the IDF because it is at war with the people of the Torah,” and warned that his family’s social standing may be harmed due to his position in the army.Follow us on GoogleIsrael Police officers spray water jets at haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters blocking the road outside Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg's residence in Jerusalem, June 10, 2026; illustrative.(photo credit: NOAM REVKIN FENTON/FLASH90)SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 20:22A haredi (ultra-Orthodox) commander in an elite IDF unit left the military after senior Shas party rabbi Rabbi Avraham Salim ordered him to do so, according to a KAN News report on Tuesday.Salim reportedly told the commander to “leave the IDF because it is at war with the people of the Torah,” and warned that his family’s social standing may be harmed due to his position in the army.The rabbi added that reserve service would be fine, but he should not take part in anything that ties him to the military.According to the KAN report, several senior rabbis supported the commander’s enlistment in the aftermath of the October 7 massacre.As the haredi draft crisis intensified, the religious leaders withdrew their support. Eventually, Salim ordered him to leave the IDF.Riot police shoot ''skunk spray'' at haredi anti-draft protesters in Jerusalem, April 29, 2026. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)Political figures decry incident as effort to dismantle IDFDemocrats MK Naama Lazimi reacted to the report on X/Twitter, accusing both the rabbi and the commander of working to dodge mandatory military service and dismantle the army.She criticized them for using public funding, adding, “This must change. Soon.”Zionist Home-The Reservists party’s Yoaz Hendel also decried the incident, stating that “the haredi parties have been acting for too long to weaken and harm the IDF.”“There is no justification for cooperating with non-Zionist parties that undermine the foundation of Israel's existence,” he continued. “I wish for all of us that the Haredi public will come to its senses.”Follow us on Google