Rabbi Rafael Daloya Retracts Claim That IDF Soldiers Are Murderers, Criticizes Rabbi Lando's Remarks
Rabbi Rafael Daloya has publicly retracted his earlier interpretation of Rabbi Shmuel Lando's comments, clarifying that Rabbi Lando never stated or intended to call IDF soldiers murderers. Daloya acknowledged that his previous article misrepresented Lando's words and sought to correct the record. He explained that Rabbi Lando's point, framed in religious terms, was that sending soldiers into battles not defined as "immediate life-saving" but rather for national honor risks the lives of the soldiers unnecessarily. In other words, Lando's concern was for the soldiers' welfare, not for the enemy's.
Despite this clarification, Daloya maintained a sharp critique of Lando's remarks, emphasizing the serious damage they cause to deterrence, national morale, and the soldiers themselves. He argued that Lando's distinction between "saving lives" and "national honor" reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of modern military strategy, where national honor directly correlates with deterrence capability in the Middle East. Daloya warned that such statements provide propaganda fuel to Israel's enemies and international bodies accusing Israel of killing Arabs without justification.
Daloya also condemned Lando's implication that soldiers' deaths are the result of unnecessary political decisions, calling it a severe blow to the morale of troops and bereaved families. He stressed that soldiers, including those wearing religious kippot whom Lando criticizes, sacrifice their lives out of deep commitment to protecting the nation. Daloya concluded by urging for responsible and measured leadership rooted in true Torah values and divine reverence, especially during the month of Elul, a time of reflection and repentance in the Jewish calendar.
This apology and critique come about a month after the controversy surrounding Rabbi Lando's statements had subsided, with Daloya seeking to set the record straight while still highlighting the problematic aspects of the original remarks.
