MK (Bayit Yehudi) Betzalel Smotrich is calling on Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman to compel IDF spokesman Brigadier-General Moti Almoz to apologize for harsh remarks made against dati leumi rabbonim in recent days during the public debate over women serving in tanks.

In his letter to DM Lieberman, Smotrich writes that in recent days, Almoz spoke out insultingly against dati leumi rabbonim who expressed opposition to female combatants in the IDF. Smotrich called Almoz’s remarks “disparaging and insulting”.

Almoz mocked the rabbonim and their opposition, with Smotrich pointing out if the IDF spokesman ever used such terminology against a Muslim or Christian cleric, he would demand he apologize as well.

Almoz stated the rabbonim simply move from issue to issue while screaming, mocking their viewpoint and adamant objection to women serving side-by-side with me. Almoz told Kol Berama Radio that the rabbonim are simply not in the loop and in fact, women have been in tanks for over the past year. He rejected any attempt to warn women are more limited physically and their presence maty compromise the performance of the IDF. He responded angrily, insisting their time has come and those opposed would have to come to terms with this new reality.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)