Senior Torah Sage Condemns Harsh Criticism of IDF Chief at Bnei Brak Protest

Rabbi Moshe Maya, the senior member of the Council of Torah Sages affiliated with the Shas party, publicly condemned the severe remarks made against the IDF Chief of Staff during a protest rally in Bnei Brak. In a statement released Tuesday morning, Rabbi Maya expressed regret over the harsh language used at the event, emphasizing that such conduct contradicts the values of Torah and Jewish tradition. "Its ways are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are peace," he said, underscoring that the Torah does not endorse such expressions.

Rabbi Maya also highlighted the Haredi community's commitment to praying for the safety of IDF soldiers, noting that prayers for the soldiers' success and protection are a regular part of religious ceremonies. His statement came in response to a mass protest held the previous evening in Bnei Brak against the enforcement of the military draft law and the arrest of yeshiva students.

The protest featured prominent Shas figures and was marked by controversial remarks from Rabbi Aryeh Yazdi, who harshly attacked the IDF Chief of Staff, using derogatory language. These comments sparked widespread condemnation, including from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called the statements "shameful" and stressed that there is no place for incitement against the IDF or its commanders.

The event also revealed internal tensions within the Sephardic Haredi community, with signs criticizing Shas leader Aryeh Deri appearing at the rally. Organizers demanded their removal. Shas quickly issued an official clarification stating that the extreme statements against the IDF Chief do not represent the views of the Council of Torah Sages or the party's traditional approach, as established by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. The controversy highlights ongoing divisions and efforts to calm the situation within the community.