Yair Lapid Accuses Ultra-Orthodox Leaders of Inciting Violence Against IDF Chief

Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned remarks made by Rabbi Aryeh Yazdi at an anti-conscription rally in Bnei Brak, where Yazdi cursed IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and accused the military of persecuting soldiers for religious reasons. Lapid stated on Tuesday that the ultra-Orthodox community is inciting against Israeli soldiers and effectively sanctioning violence against the military chief. He criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu and his ministers for remaining silent, saying there has been no condemnation or legal action against the incitement. Lapid called the soldiers heroes and labeled the current government as cowardly. The controversy follows Yazdi's comments from Monday night, in which he cursed the IDF chief and accused the army of punishing a soldier for placing a messianic note, while denouncing the state as impure and the military as promoting severe religious violations.