MK David Bitan
MK David BitanMiriam Alster/Flash 90

Coalition chairman MK David Bitan (Likud) on Saturday commented on the appointment of Rabbi Eyal Karim as the chief IDF rabbi and the firestorm that arose following his past statements.

"I do not support the appointment and I expected that the Chief of Staff cancel the appointment. [Karim's] views do not fit the army,” said Bitan, who added, “A military rabbi should be more moderate and there is no connection to the fact that he served in an elite unit.”

Rabbi Karim was blasted after his appointment was announced due to statements he made in 2012 and 2013, the first regarding the religious status of women in war - said in the context of an academic Torah discussion - and the second regarding women serving in the IDF.

But IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot rejected the criticism and made clear that his nomination as IDF chief rabbi stands.

"Rabbi Col. Eyal Karim served as an IDF combat soldier commander for 19 years in the frontline units of the army," an army spokesperson said. "As a rabbi and man of religious law he is a leader and is widely accepted. The books Rabbi Karim signed on to and the religious rulings he has issued show he is oriented towards the State [of Israel] and takes into consideration those serving in the IDF."

Responding to criticisms made regarding Rabbi Karim's past statements over the service of women in the army, an IDF spokesperson noted, "Over the past decade Rabbi Karim has acted and made rulings permitting joint service and integration of women into the IDF. Karim emphasized [during the meeting] that he sees a need and obligation for women to be drafted into the army."