Best of the BBC

Israel’s military rabbis

Audio: Play | Download

Israel is under international pressure to stop building in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.  But within Israel, there is debate about whether its army will be willing to evacuate settlements even if a peace deal is agreed with the Palestinians.  While military commanders insist there’s no question of soldiers disobeying orders, other Israelis point to the growing influence of religion in the army.  Military rabbis are taking on more front line roles, marching into battle alongside the troops.  Some IDF soldiers are glad of their presence; others express concerns. The controversy became public following Israel’s operation in Gaza earlier this year.  Rams’ horns were blown prior to the incursion, an echo of Joshua’s biblical assault on the Walls of Jericho.  As one military rabbi explained to the BBC’s Middle East Correspondent, Katya Adler, it was designed to “make the war holier”. 

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download MP3

Watch the full-length TV version of Katya Adler’s report The Rise of Israel’s Military Rabbis