Rabbi caused storm for criticizing IDF decision to obligate soldiers to attend ceremonies with female singers.
By YAAKOV KATZIsrael Air Force Chief Rabbi Lt.-Col. Moshe Ravad 311(photo credit: IDF)
Rabbi Moshe Raavad, who caused a storm last week for criticizing the IDF’s decision to obligate soldiers to attend ceremonies with performances by female singers, will step down from his post as chief rabbi of the Israel Air Force, the IDF announced Tuesday.Raavad met with IAF commander Maj.-Gen. Ido Nehushtan who decided the rabbi could not continue in his current post but would not be fired from the IAF and could continue to serve in another position.RELATED:MK Hotovely: 'Extremists desecrating the Torah'Netanyahu warns against anti-haredi, settler incitement
Chief IDF Rabbi Brig.-Gen. Rafi Peretz had recommended Raavad be dismissed from military service but Nehushtan decided Raavad could stay in service after he apologized for his criticism.Raavad caused a storm after resigning from his position as head of “Shachar,” a program for recruiting haredi (ultra- Orthodox) soldiers, in protest of Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz’s decision that religious soldiers would be obligated to remain in military ceremonies even if they will need to listen to a female singer’s performance. Gantz did rule that religious soldiers could receive exemptions from attending performances at private unit events.