Former IDF Chief Rabbi Israel Weiss Reaffirms Ruling on Missing Soldiers from Sultan Yaakov Battle

Israel's former Chief Military Rabbi, Israel Weiss, revisited his halachic ruling on the fate of three soldiers missing since the 1973 Battle of Sultan Yaakov: Zechariah Baumel, Yehuda Katz, and Zvi Feldman. Weiss reaffirmed that the three were killed in action and not alive, a decision made about 22 years ago after a thorough year-long religious investigation alongside Rabbi Yaakov Rozeh. This ruling initially sparked public controversy and criticism toward the rabbis who issued it.

Weiss made these remarks during the launch event of Rabbi Rozeh's book "Paths of Kindness and Truth" at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation in Jaffa, organized by Chevra Kadisha Tel Aviv. The comments came shortly after the discovery and repatriation of Yehuda Katz's remains to Israel, more than four decades after the battle. Previously, the remains of Baumel and Feldman had also been returned.

Weiss recalled that shortly after assuming his role as Chief Military Rabbi, Baumel's father requested a halachic ruling on the missing soldiers' status. The subsequent investigation concluded that all three had perished. Reflecting on the recent developments, Weiss questioned whether those who had criticized the ruling would now apologize, emphasizing the accuracy of their original decision. Rabbi Rozeh's book, presented at the event, focuses on the laws and ethics related to the treatment of the deceased, a field in which he has extensive experience.