Israel’s Supreme Court suspended the selection of the new chief rabbi of the Israel Defense Forces over comments that appeared to justify rape of women in wartime, among other controversial statements.
The Nov. 21 court ruling, in response to a petition filed by the left-wing Meretz Party, came two days before the scheduled induction ceremony for Col. Eyal Karim.
The temporary injunction requires Karim to file a deposition clarifying his current positions on various issues, including the rape of non-Jewish women during wartime and the conditions under which soldiers can refuse orders.
Karim was named IDF chief rabbi in July. He reportedly has been training under the current IDF chief rabbi.
The comments in question were published more than a decade ago on the religious news website Kipa and came to light in 2012. Responding to a reader’s question, Karim said the Torah permits intercourse with a non-Jewish woman during wartime under certain conditions. Karim also said women should not be conscripted due to concerns over modesty and said under Jewish law female singers should not perform at military events.
Karim has said his statements about wartime rape were theoretical and dealt with a specific biblical passage. At the time of his appointment, according to Ynet, he told IDF brass, “There is no license in times of peace or war to sexually assault women.” He also said he supported and believed women could serve in the military. He pointed out that he served on the committee that established the protocol that requires soldiers to be present at events where women sing. He said he has ordered soldiers present at such events not to leave. — jta