Former IDF Chief Rabbi Brigadier-General (reserves) Yisrael Weiss, who was chief rabbi during the 2005 “Disengagement” expresses his pain over the fighting in Gaza and the loss of life among IDF soldiers. The rav made his remarks in an exclusive interview with Arutz-7. Following is excerpts from the Hebrew interview.

The rav praised the atmosphere of achdus and the achievements reported in the warfare by the IDF, referring to the “גלגול אלוקי” following the murders of the three kedoshim HY”D and the discovery of the vast Gaza tunnel network.

Rabbi Weiss explains Hamas is a bitter enemy, one that seeks to kill and wipe out Am Yisrael. He explains that Hamas reason for existence is to uproot the Jewish People.

The rav speaks of the promises and assurances he received prior to the expulsion of the Gaza Jewish community, assurances that played a major role in his support for the painful decision. “We left Gaza and what do they do? They do not build homes or trees, but warfare!”

He reminds us of the statements released by the experts during the days preceding the expulsion. He emphasizes that Prime Minister Arik Sharon said “I understand security”, promising him forty years of tranquility as a result of the disengagement. Now Rabbi Weiss explains, albeit in a pained tone, “There were forty hours of peace not forty years”.

The rav states “I did nothing on my own. I went to meet with Rav Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L and HaGaon HaRav Mordechai Eliyahu ZT”L, and they both told me I must remain in my post. Their rulings were definitive. He adds that “Even HaGaon HaRav Avrohom Kahane Shapiro ZT”L did not tell me to leave my position”. He did tell me that I must do everything possible to prevent the implementation of the disengagement. “I acted in line with Gedolei Yisrael and halacha”, adding that the criteria leading to his decision were based on the promises from security and defense experts; assurances and promises that exploded.

Rabbi Weiss adds today, many have forgiven him and generally speaking the anger has dissipated. He brings an example from his role in the case of the missing IDF soldiers from the battle of Sultan Yaakoub, in which after a year of deliberation he ruled that the soldiers are dead. In response, the family of soldier Yehuda Katz filed a suit against him personally.

Of late, in his capacity as a member of the Beis Din for Giyur, a candidate for conversion that approached the beis din was accompanied by a member of the family that escorted him through the giyur process. The escort was a brother of Yehuda Katz HY”D. “Immediately after the beis din session he hugged me and said ‘Rabbi Weiss, I am asking for forgiveness. Everything I did [back then] was L’Shem Shomayim. I apologize for the things I said and my anger that was directed at you”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)