Israel needs both the army and Torah, Minister Gilad Erdan said Tuesday, speaking to students at the pre-military academy in Eli. “The IDF alone is not enough. Because if we don’t have the Torah, the faith, the understanding of why we are here in the land of Israel and why we are here – it’s not always easy,” he said.

Erdan praised the students for integrating Torah with military service, and expressed confidence that they would stand out as leaders within the army.