MK (Yesh Atid) Elazar Stern told Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) on Tuesday 21 Cheshvan that he stands firmly behind the appointment of Rabbi Eyal Karim as the next IDF Chief Rabbi. Stern was quick to add that he always respects and must abide by High Court of Justice decisions, but in this case, he knows Rabbi Karim for decades as they were both in the military for many years. Stern is a retired major-general.

Stern stated Rabbi Karim is suited as a soldier, officer and rav, and he has seen him function in many capacities in the military and feels he is a most suited candidate for the post. He also feels that the petition to the High Court of Justice by Meretz party MKs challenging the appointment was out of place after the appointment was approved by the IDF’s Chief of Personnel Branch, IDF Chief of Staff and Minister of Defense.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)