Israeli Leaders Condemn Rabbi’s Harsh Attack on IDF Chief at Bnei Brak Rally

The Israeli political scene is in turmoil following severe remarks made by Rabbi Aryeh Yazdi, a prominent Shas rabbi, against IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi at a rally in Bnei Brak on Sunday night. Yazdi called Kochavi "accursed" and declared the state "impure," statements that drew widespread condemnation from top officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, opposition leader Yair Lapid, and other party heads. Members of Knesset from Shas, such as Moshe Abutbul and Yoav Ben-Tzur, attended the rally where these comments were made. Notably, Yazdi’s religious seminary receives substantial state funding, totaling over 10 million shekels in the past decade and 653,818 shekels last year alone.

Shas officially distanced itself from the extreme rhetoric, emphasizing that these views do not represent the party’s spiritual leadership or its traditional approach as taught by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. Netanyahu strongly condemned the "disgraceful statements" against the IDF chief, stressing that even amid internal disagreements, incitement against the military and its commanders is unacceptable. President Herzog echoed this, calling for respectful discourse and denouncing insults against the military’s top commander.

Opposition figures sharply criticized the government’s response. Lapid accused the ultra-Orthodox community of inciting against soldiers and lamented the government’s silence, calling it cowardly. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett highlighted the state funding Yazdi’s seminary receives and vowed to end financial support for institutions opposing Zionism and military service if his government returns to power. Former IDF Chief Gadi Eizenkot described the incitement as a dangerous red line crossed, blaming Netanyahu’s divisive politics for fostering hatred and division.

Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, condemned the rally as a national disgrace and criticized the coalition for backing draft evasion. He called on Shas leaders, including Cabinet member Aryeh Deri, to issue a strong condemnation. Democratic Party head Yair Golan accused Shas and Netanyahu of forming an alliance of draft evaders and inciters, exploiting the working public. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also condemned the incitement, praising the IDF leadership and warning against crossing red lines in public discourse.

The controversy highlights deep tensions over military conscription and societal divisions in Israel, with calls for accountability and respect for the IDF’s role in national security. The political fallout continues as parties debate the state’s relationship with ultra-Orthodox institutions and the limits of public discourse on military leadership.