800 soldiers have signed the petition sent to IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gadi Eizenkott calling for the reinstatement of the “Simchas Yom Rishon” that was given during the past six years by the military rav at the transportation area of IDF southern complex, Channel 2 News reports.

The shiurim attracted many many religious soldiers.

This is a compound where hundreds of soldiers pass every Sunday on their way to the southern bases. A few weeks ago, following the order of the head of the IDF General Staff, Major-General Aharon Chaliba, that the shiur was annulled, a move which aroused outrage among the soldiers who signed: “We are not talking about religion but Torah classes.” Good, disciplined and happy soldiers,” they wrote in the petition to Eizenkott, who seems to not miss a chance to minimize Yiddishkheit in the IDF when possible.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Office said in response: “The petition was received at the chief of staff’s office, and the response to the soldiers, including the Torah shiurim, is that it is conducted in accordance with orders.” The commanders allow the religious soldiers to perform their military service alongside with maintaining their religious lifestyle, in line with orders, as is the case in all units. The shiurim that was stopped took place outside the training campus in the parking lot and there is no intention of allowing the transfer of lessons of any kind to this area.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)