IDF Chief Apologizes for Chilul Shabbos

Religious soldiers were forced to pose for photos with Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi during a Shabbos meal, and the chief also held a press conference on the same day, in contravention of the IDF’s own rules.

Kochavi wrote in a letter to the Torat Lehima organization, which had protested the incident: “It was a mistake for us to have filmed and broadcast the Chief of Staff’s words during Shabbat, and the Chief of Staff has apologized to the officers and soldiers of the brigade.”

On learning of the chilul Shabbos, Torat Lehima wrote to the Chief of Staff’s office, saying: “We have no doubt that you are engaged in holy work, protecting Israel’s security day and night, Shabbat and throughout the week, and the Jewish People has the greatest of admiration for you. It is precisely for this reason that we were so horrified to learn that you had chosen to desecrate the Shabbat with clear instructions that also breached IDF rules, also forcing religious soldiers to desecrate the holy day themselves.” The organization went on to urge him to make an apology, thereby “serving as a role model of an officer who has self-respect and also respects his soldiers – and as someone who can admit to having erred.”