Outcry as Haredi rabbi rants against ‘accursed’ IDF chief, ‘may his name and memory be erased’

An ultra-Orthodox rabbi is being widely condemned and facing accusations of incitement after denouncing the IDF chief of staff in highly inflammatory terms, speaking out against “the accursed” Eyal Zamir and saying, “May his name and memory be erased.”

Rabbi Aryeh Yazdi, speaking at a Bnei Brak event protesting the arrest of Haredi draft dodgers, noted recent punitive actions against soldiers who wore “Messiah” badges on their uniforms, breaking regulations.

“The accursed IDF chief of staff — may his name and memory be erased — sent [such a soldier] to prison for a month. Why? Because he yearned for the Messiah,” Yazdi said. “This entire army wants to root out the Torah, to root out belief, to root out the Messiah.”

He also said: “In the army they are educating people toward the most severe transgressions in the Torah, in this impure country. This whole army desires to uproot the name of God.”

“Don’t fall into that. Don’t go to the army,” he said.

הרב משה יזדי בבני ברק בעצרת המחאה של מפלגת ש"ס נגד המעצרים בבני ברק: "הרמטכ"ל ימח שמו וזיכרו שולח חייל לכלא כי הוא שם פתק משיח, בצבא מחנכים לעבירות החמורות ביותר" pic.twitter.com/bP5Cwz0wIF

— יואלי ברים yoeli brim (@yoeli_brim) June 29, 2026

Hebrew media reports noted that at the same rally, some chanted “traitor” against Haredi leader and Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri.

Several Shas MKs were in attendance but did not speak out against the comments.

Ynet notes that the Torah and Life Yeshiva in Bnei Brak, where Yazdi teaches, receives hundreds of thousands of shekels in state support annually.

In a statement, Defense Minister Israel Katz says he “strongly condemn[s] the grave inciting remarks made against the chief of staff… Even when there are public disagreements, it is forbidden to cross red lines of incitement and harm against those who bear the heavy responsibility for the country’s security.”

President Isaac Herzog denounces the “shocking statement” by Yazdi. “Even in times of deep disagreement, there is no place for curses, insults, or derogatory language — certainly not toward the commander of the IDF and of our soldiers, our sons and daughters. Public leaders are required to maintain responsible and respectful discourse.”

Together party chair Naftali Bennett promises to “put an end” to state funding for figures such as Yazdi. “The rule is simple: anyone who teaches against Zionism and against the State of Israel will not receive a shekel from the state. Anyone who chooses not to work does not receive money. Anyone who chooses not to serve does not receive money. That’s it. This is the new deal between the state and its citizens.”

Yashar party chair Gadi Eisenkot responds: “The wild incitement against the chief of staff at the rally in Bnei Brak last night, in the shameful presence of Netanyahu’s coalition partners, recklessly crosses red lines while effectively permitting the blood of IDF commanders and soldiers [to be spilled]. This low point is a direct result of the culture of hatred and division that Netanyahu has been driving the country into for years in order to stay in power.”