The helicopter crash in Romania in which six IDF Air Force crewman were killed should serve as a reminder to respect IDF soldiers despite objections to expulsions of Jews from Gaza, and from outposts in Judea and Samaria, Rabbi Zev Sharon told Arutz Sheva's Hebrew-language news service.

"Despite our political dispute with the IDF – our soldiers are heros willing to risk their very lives to protect the Jewish people and the land of Israel,” he explained. Rabbi Sharon heads the pre-military preparatory program (mechina) in Maaleh Efraim.

The disaster in Romania “emphasizes the complexity” of the relationship many have with the IDF, he continued. “Career officers took part in expelling Jews from Gush Katif, among them many pilots... But we cannot forget for a second that the same pilots who participated in the Gush Katif expulsion are those who will get the order to bomb Iran's nuclear reactor, and they will risk their lives to make our country safe,” he said.

Even those soldiers who continue to take part in expelling Jews from their homes in Judea and Samaria communities that lack authorization “are engaged in defending Israel 99.9% of the time,” he added. “Not that we justify everything being done, but we must not forget the essentials,” he said.

Funerals for the six crewmen killed in the Romania crash were held on Friday.