I have often discussed the repulsive ideology of the Israeli Orthodox settler movement. Jews outside Israel may not be aware of the central role Israeli rabbis play in this movement and its ideology. Because Israel is a “Jewish state” many of these Rabbis are actually on the government payroll. Their role in the Gaza war is just one more episode in a long and shameful list. Here is one choice quote from an official pamphlet of the Army’s rabbinate:
The IDF rabbinate, also quoting Rabbi Aviner, describes the appropriate code of conduct in the field: “When you show mercy to a cruel enemy, you are being cruel to pure and honest soldiers. This is terribly immoral. These are not games at the amusement park where sportsmanship teaches one to make concessions. This is a war on murderers. ‘A la guerre comme a la guerre.’
Tags: Settlers, Xenophobia