Close Associates Defend Rabbi Aryeh Yazdi After Sharp Criticism of IDF Chief Sparks Outrage

Rabbi Aryeh Yazdi's close associates have responded to the controversy following his harsh remarks against IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir at a protest rally in Bnei Brak. During the event, Rabbi Yazdi cursed Zamir, saying, "Cursed be his name and memory," in reaction to the military's detention of a soldier who wore a 'Messiah' patch. His aides described the statement as a "slip of the tongue" but criticized the wave of condemnations, particularly from the Shas party, accusing them of hypocrisy for condemning the rabbi despite having done "nothing for the Torah community."

They also emphasized that Rabbi Yazdi's comments were made after consultation and with the approval of other rabbis. A spokesperson noted that Rabbi Yazdi, a disciple of prominent rabbis Shach and Badani, was asked to convey this message. His supporters further argued that such strong language is not unusual in the Torah world, citing past similar expressions by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and Rabbi Aharon Leib Shteinman.

The protest in Bnei Brak, attended by leading rabbis including Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, was held in opposition to the arrest of yeshiva students. The incident and Rabbi Yazdi's remarks triggered sharp rebukes from political and security figures, including President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Shas party officially distanced itself from Rabbi Yazdi's statements, declaring that the extreme language does not reflect the views of their rabbinical council and contradicts the legacy of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

The controversy highlights tensions between segments of the ultra-Orthodox community and the Israeli military over the treatment of religious soldiers and the broader issue of yeshiva conscription. Rabbi Yazdi has not given media interviews since the incident, and his associates maintain that his words were part of a coordinated religious stance.