JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday condemned inflammatory remarks made by a rabbi against Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir during an anti-military draft protest in Bnei Brak, saying there is no place for incitement against the country’s military leadership.
הרב אריה יזדי בעצרת נגד הגיוס בבני ברק: “הרמטכ”ל הארור ימח שמו וזכרו, שלח חייל לכלא כי הוא שם פתק משיח. בצבא מחנכים לעבירות החמורות ביותר בתורה, במדינה הטמאה הזאת”. pic.twitter.com/EudV44juky
— שילה פריד🇮🇱 (@shilofreid) June 29, 2026
The comments were made during a demonstration Monday against the enlistment of ultra-Orthodox men into military service. Rabbi Aryeh Yazdi directed a traditional curse at Zamir after criticizing the military’s decision to imprison a soldier who wore a patch bearing the word “Messiah.” He also sharply criticized the Israeli military and the state.
Netanyahu said political and ideological disagreements must never lead to attacks on the IDF or its commanders, emphasizing that they are responsible for protecting Israel’s citizens.
Defense Minister Israel Katz also denounced the remarks, calling them dangerous and unacceptable. He said Zamir and IDF commanders are leading Israeli forces on multiple fronts to defend the country and said public disagreements must never cross into incitement against those entrusted with Israel’s security. Katz voiced his support for the chief of staff, military commanders and soldiers as they continue their missions.
The Shas party distanced itself from the rabbi’s comments, saying they do not represent the party or its Council of Torah Sages. Rabbi Moshe Maya also rebuked the remarks, saying such language is inconsistent with Torah values and noting that Jews regularly pray for the safety and success of Israeli soldiers.
The incident drew criticism across Israel’s political spectrum. Opposition leader Yair Lapid accused the government of failing to respond forcefully enough to incitement against the military. Avigdor Liberman called the episode “a national disgrace,” while former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett urged ending government funding for institutions that encourage draft evasion or anti-state rhetoric.
Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot and Benny Gantz warned that inflammatory rhetoric directed at senior military leaders could fuel violence, while President Isaac Herzog called for respectful public discourse and condemned insults directed at the head of the IDF.