Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef Slams Gadi Eisenkot Over Tank Policy

Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef sharply criticized Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yisrael" party, warning against a government led by him. This marks a significant shift from Yosef's stance just two months prior, when he suggested Shas might support Eisenkot.

Speaking at an event in Ashdod, Rabbi Yosef condemned Eisenkot's past decision as military chief of staff to allow male and female soldiers to serve together in tanks. "Woe is us," Yosef declared, recounting how he, as chief rabbi at the time, had explained the gravity of the matter to Eisenkot, who he claimed did not even respond. "Friends, a little respect, a chief rabbi approaches you, and he doesn't even answer."

The rabbi's recent alignment with Shas's campaign, following a meeting with party leader Aryeh Deri, solidified his position as the successor to his father, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. This contrasts sharply with his July remarks, where he described Eisenkot as a "good man, a warm Jew" who loves Torah scholars, even suggesting Shas might support him in the upcoming elections and that he could potentially become prime minister. Yosef had also expressed hope that the United Torah Judaism party would join in supporting Eisenkot.

In those earlier July statements, the former chief rabbi also commented on the secular nature of Israel, expressing a desire for religious repentance but doubting it for figures like Prime Minister Netanyahu, while holding out hope for Eisenkot. "We are in a secular state, not a Haredi state," he had stated.