Responding to rumors that Givati Brigade soldiers were compelled to be mechalel Shabbos in preparing to head to the Amona area in Shomron ahead of an eviction, IDF Chief Rabbi Eyal Karim stated no such thing occurred.

The rav of Givati released a message to the media explaining that the reports are simply baseless loshon hora, explaining that the soldiers moved to the area in question were actually involved in operational activities that have nothing to do with Amona. He stated there was no unjustifiable chilul Shabbos whatsoever.

His statements were backed by IDF Chief Rabbi Brigadier-General Eyal Karim, stating he received many phone calls after Shabbos including from military rabbonim. Rabbi Karim explained the accusations were made without anyone probing and he did check into it and verified them as being untrue. He explained there was a limited alert which compelled moving the troops to the area on Shabbos so it was assumed this was related to a possible Amona eviction but the rabbi insists this was not the case.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)