Rabbi who called gays ‘deviants’ says they should still be allowed to serve in IDF

In letter to Defense Ministry director, Yigal Levinstein clarifies remarks that set off a firestorm, but remains unapologetic

Rabbi Yigal Levinstein speaking at the 'Zion and Jerusalem' convention in July 2016. (Screen capture: YouTube)
Rabbi Yigal Levinstein speaking at the 'Zion and Jerusalem' convention in July 2016. (Screen capture: YouTube)

Rabbi Yigal Levinstein, co-head of a prominent pre-army religious academy, sent a clarification letter to Udi Adam, the director of the Defense Ministry, Tuesday regarding a talk in which he referred to members of the LGBT community as “deviants.”

The letter came after he met with Adam last week and did not include a retraction or apology for the comments.

Levinstein was filmed in mid-July at a Jewish law convention saying that “under the framework of pluralism, soldiers and officers are taught to refer to [LGBT people] as ‘proud,’ but I don’t dare call them that…. ‘Deviants’ is what I call them.”

In his clarification, Levinstein said that he was addressing the issue of IDF outreach programs and was merely trying to state that the army should stay out of societal disputes, including regarding the family.

“I claimed, and I still claim, that proper place for these disputes is in civil society and not in the army, which is precious to us all,” he wrote.

He went on to say that his remarks should not be construed to mean anyone should be denied the opportunity to serve: “Everyone has a place in the army, no matter what their background, worldview or personal tendencies.”

The annual pride parade in Jerusalem, attended by more than 25,000, on July 21, 2016. (Zack Wajsgras/Flash90)
The annual pride parade in Jerusalem, attended by more than 25,000, on July 21, 2016. (Zack Wajsgras/Flash90)

Levinstein’s controversial speech came at a particularly sensitive time, only a week before the Jerusalem gay pride parade. Many condemned his words but 300 leading rabbis signed an open letter supporting him and “every rabbi who expresses his halachic (Jewish legal) and moral opinion… without pandering or apology.”

Adam, the Defense Ministry director, met last Thursday with Levinstein and Eli Sadan, the other co-head of of the academy, located in the West Bank settlement of Eli. He reportedly told the pair that the IDF code includes as one of its core values the preservation of “human dignity,” which defines the way in which all its soldiers must act. According to the code, “the army and its soldiers are obligated to protect human dignity. Every person is valuable, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, nationality, gender, standing or role.”

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