Rav Amir Krispel, who served for many years as the personal secretary to Maran Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l, says the late Sephardic Torah leader underwent a significant shift in his views on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process following the Oslo Accords. In a new episode of “Yossi’s Podcast,” Rav Krispel also discusses Rav Ovadia’s ruling on the Hebron agreement, his views on military service for Chareidim who are not learning Torah full time, and offers a glimpse into the Rav’s private life.

Rav Krispel explained that during the Oslo era, Rav Ovadia believed that if a peace agreement could genuinely save Jewish lives, halacha would permit territorial concessions under the principle of pikuach nefesh.

“The value of preserving life takes precedence over the Land of Israel,” Rav Krispel said. “If it were truly possible to save Jewish lives, it would be preferable even at the cost of territorial concessions.”

According to Rav Krispel, however, Rav Ovadia’s outlook changed after witnessing developments following the Oslo Accords.

“After Oslo, he was deeply disappointed,” Rav Krispel said. “He saw that the problem was the Palestinian education system, which teaches hatred.”

Rav Krispel recounted that during one meeting with a Palestinian leader, Rav Ovadia remarked that as long as Palestinian children were being raised to hate Jews, genuine peace would remain unattainable.

He added that those experiences fundamentally altered Rav Ovadia’s approach to future diplomatic initiatives.

“Since Oslo, he was no longer willing to hear about any peace agreement or arrangement with the Palestinians,” Rav Krispel said. “He was fiercely protective of Jewish lives.”

Rav Krispel emphasized that Rav Ovadia based his decisions on careful analysis rather than slogans or political rhetoric.

“He listened to generals, requested maps, asked questions, and examined every detail before reaching a decision,” he said.

One of the most notable accounts shared during the interview concerned the Hebron agreement. Rav Krispel recalled that after meeting with right-wing representatives, Rav Ovadia instructed him to drive him in his private vehicle, with Aryeh Deri joining the trip. During the drive, Rav Ovadia ruled that Hebron should not be relinquished and instructed that if the city were divided, Shas should leave the governing coalition. Rav Krispel said the party ultimately acted accordingly.

Turning to current issues, Rav Krispel said he believes that if Rav Ovadia were alive today, he would rule that a Chareidi man who is not engaged in Torah study should serve in the Israel Defense Forces.

Rav Krispel also addressed the current composition of Shas’ Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, saying that “Aryeh Deri is in a difficult position,” referring to his claim that the Shas chairman has not appointed Rishon L’Tzion Rav Yitzchak Yosef as president of the council.

{Matzav.com}