Following the conviction of soldier Elor Azariya by a military court, the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization issued a statement of qualified support for IDF soldiers.
"We stand in firm and unwavering support for the IDF, its soldiers and officers. Their fight and their challenges, both physical and moral, for the safety of our State and its people, and the ethical standards which they uphold both in peacetime and in battle, deserve to be wholly commended and defended.
"As Jews and lovers of Israel, wherever on earth we find ourselves we must stand behind these men and women.
"This does not however mean that the IDF is immune from public or legal criticism, where that legitimate criticism will lead to the strengthening of the ideals of justice, ethics and proper military practice. Like all institutions in life, the people of the IDF can and do on occasion perform acts outside of the confines of ethics and law. And on those occasions, those soldiers and officers can and should be held liable for their actions," Tzohar said.