Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz strongly condemned remarks made by Rav Aryeh Yazdi during the mass protest against the arrest of bnei yeshivah in Bnei Brak, after the rov harshly criticized IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir in comments that drew loud applause from the crowd.

Speaking at the rally, Rav Yazdi referred to a recent incident in which a soldier was reportedly sentenced to military detention after wearing a “Moshiach” patch on his uniform, blaming the decision on the chief of staff.

“The accursed chief of staff, may his name and memory be blotted out, sent a soldier to prison because he put on a Moshiach note. In the army they educate people toward the gravest transgressions in the Torah, in this impure state,” Rav Yazdi declared, prompting enthusiastic cheers from attendees.

In response, Katz issued a sharply worded statement condemning the remarks.

“I strongly condemn the severe inciting remarks that were made against the chief of staff at the rally in Bnei Brak,” Katz said.

He continued, “The chief of staff and the commanders of the IDF are leading our soldiers on every front in the campaign to defend the State of Israel and ensure the security of its citizens. Any incitement against them is unacceptable, dangerous, and deserves unequivocal condemnation.”

Katz added that while public disagreements are legitimate, attacks of this nature cross a red line.

“Even when there are public disagreements, it is forbidden to cross the red lines of incitement and attacks against those who bear the heavy responsibility of safeguarding the security of the state,” he said.

{Matzav.com}