Israel’s Religious Kibbutz Movement and the nation’s pre-military academies Tuesday declared their opposition to soldiers refusing to obey Army orders to evacuate Jews from their homes.
Secretary of the religious kibbutzim, Yair Reimann, said “they categorically reject calls made to Israeli Army soldiers to refuse orders from their commanders. We call on the rabbis of the national religious camp and the leadership not to involve the IDF, our sons and students who serve in the Army, in this argument.”
He added, “We send a brotherly and loving hand to residents of Gush Katif” and “urge the government to treat these brothers as a population of pioneers loyal to the nation.”
The religious kibbutz movement is considered a moderate voice in the national religious camp. It became embroiled in the disengagement controversy when Yonaton Basi of the orthodox Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu accepted Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s request to direct the disengagement authority.
Several rabbis, including former Chief Rabbi Avraham Shapira, have ruled that soldiers must refuse to carry out evacuation orders, which they equated with eating pork or violating the Sabbath.
Rabbi Moshe Hagar, head of the association of 24 pre-military preparatory schools (Mechinas), told Arutz Sheva that soldiers must not refuse orders. “The Army is an profession. There can be differences of opinions, but one must execute the orders among unity.”
Hagar, a ranking Army Reserve officer added, "The Army should show sensitivity and not ask soldiers to help evacuate relatives.” But he said he is opposed to freeing conscientious objectors from obeying orders. “If a soldier thinks an order is illegal and refuses to carry it out, he must pay the price, even if it means sitting in jail.”
He emphasized that the police and not the Army should carry out evacuation.
National Religious Party leader Effie Eitam, a former Army commander, also has stated opposition to soldiers refusing orders but added he can understand those who explain to their officers they are not emotionally or morally capable of evacuating Jews from their homes.
Reimann told Arutz Sheva Tuesday he “does not have all the answers” and that the Army must consider every case individually. He advised soldiers to be careful before deciding they are not capable of helping to force Jews out of their homes.
Secretary of the religious kibbutzim, Yair Reimann, said “they categorically reject calls made to Israeli Army soldiers to refuse orders from their commanders. We call on the rabbis of the national religious camp and the leadership not to involve the IDF, our sons and students who serve in the Army, in this argument.”
He added, “We send a brotherly and loving hand to residents of Gush Katif” and “urge the government to treat these brothers as a population of pioneers loyal to the nation.”
The religious kibbutz movement is considered a moderate voice in the national religious camp. It became embroiled in the disengagement controversy when Yonaton Basi of the orthodox Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu accepted Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s request to direct the disengagement authority.
Several rabbis, including former Chief Rabbi Avraham Shapira, have ruled that soldiers must refuse to carry out evacuation orders, which they equated with eating pork or violating the Sabbath.
Rabbi Moshe Hagar, head of the association of 24 pre-military preparatory schools (Mechinas), told Arutz Sheva that soldiers must not refuse orders. “The Army is an profession. There can be differences of opinions, but one must execute the orders among unity.”
Hagar, a ranking Army Reserve officer added, "The Army should show sensitivity and not ask soldiers to help evacuate relatives.” But he said he is opposed to freeing conscientious objectors from obeying orders. “If a soldier thinks an order is illegal and refuses to carry it out, he must pay the price, even if it means sitting in jail.”
He emphasized that the police and not the Army should carry out evacuation.
National Religious Party leader Effie Eitam, a former Army commander, also has stated opposition to soldiers refusing orders but added he can understand those who explain to their officers they are not emotionally or morally capable of evacuating Jews from their homes.
Reimann told Arutz Sheva Tuesday he “does not have all the answers” and that the Army must consider every case individually. He advised soldiers to be careful before deciding they are not capable of helping to force Jews out of their homes.