Rabbi Shimon Tubul Shares Combat Survival and Political Vision Amid Legal Battle
Rabbi Shimon Tubul, a former deputy mayor of Beersheba and current candidate for the Noam LeIsrael party, opened up in a revealing interview on the Kikar FM podcast about his unique journey from a Haredi yeshiva student to a frontline infantry soldier in the Givati Brigade. Tubul described his deep personal motivation to serve in the military, sparked by the death of a close friend in combat and his desire to protect Israel from terror attacks. Despite his combat role, he emphasized maintaining his Haredi religious observance, noting a growing trend of support for soldiers within the Haredi community.
Tubul recounted harrowing experiences during the October 7 attacks, including managing casualty evacuations in Beersheba and narrowly escaping death when an RPG missile missed him by centimeters during operations in Gaza’s Jabalia refugee camp. He described the psychological challenge of transitioning between the brutal frontlines and the relative calm of civilian life, sharing a poignant moment of seeing people eating ice cream amid ongoing conflict.
The interview also addressed Tubul’s current legal challenges. He faces an indictment for assault related to an incident at a Beersheba gas station where he confronted a suspicious individual during a military alert. Tubul claims the charges are politically motivated, timed to coincide with his announcement to join the Noam LeIsrael party. He criticized left-wing groups and Arab MKs for pressuring the prosecution and expressed pride in being targeted for his defense of Israel.
Politically, Tubul praised Noam leader Avi Maoz as a principled ideologue and outlined the party’s "Project 250," aiming to mobilize grassroots support nationwide. On the contentious issue of Haredi conscription, Tubul opposes sanctions on Torah scholars but insists that those not studying must be integrated into frameworks like military or national service to prevent social decay. He also highlighted his efforts to improve employment conditions for Haredi women in Beersheba, sharing a moving story of a husband’s gratitude for his wife’s dignified job.
Tubul confirmed his political moves have the backing of Degel HaTorah and MK Moshe Gafni, who wished him success. The interview paints Tubul as a rare public figure balancing frontline military service, religious commitment, and a bold political agenda amid personal and societal challenges.
