Senior UK rabbis object to IDF chief rabbi appointment

Senior rabbis of Reform Judaism, Liberal Judaism and Masorti Judaism have written to Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkott calling for the reversal of the appointment of Rabbi Colonel Eyal Karim to the position of Chief Rabbi to the IDF.

The letter reads:

Dear Chief of Staff Eisenkot,

We are writing to you regarding your decision to appoint Rabbi Colonel Eyal Karim to the position of Chief Rabbi to the IDF. We believe this is a dangerous and regrettable decision. His interpretations of Jewish law, with regard to rape in wartime, have no place in modern society.

The impact of words so misguided and harmful cannot be washed away by the passing of time. As rabbinic leaders we fiercely refute the notion that any part of Jewish law has condoned the use of rape in wartime. Rabbi Karim was asked if IDF soldiers are allowed to commit rape during times of war. His answer should have been an unequivocal “no”.

We join the multitude of voices calling for Rabbi Karim’s appointment to be reversed immediately.

Yours sincerely,

Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, Senior Rabbi, Masorti Judaism
Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, Senior Rabbi to Reform Judaism
Rabbis Alexandra Wright and Richard Jacobi, co-chairs, Rabbinic Conference, Liberal Judaism

 
Read more about the appointment of Rabbi Colonel Eyal Karim in the JC