Shas party leader Interior Minister Aryeh Deri praised Rabbi Yigal Levinstein for having the courage to speak out as he did against mixed units in the IDF.

Deri explained “It takes courage to speak out and say the halacha and I praise him for having it’. During a joint interview with Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) on Thursday morning 11 Adar, Deri explained “I will not hide my position”, citing that it took courage for someone at the top of the mechina pyramid to speak out as he did. He added “Baruch Hashem he apologized as he did”, explaining he too did not agree with the exact wording of his statements, which left some feeling insulted.

“We must remember that he was just repeating the words of Gedolei Yisrael and while his method was not great, this is halacha and there is nothing to be done, this is the way it is”.

Deri emphasized “halacha has not changed and the reason women should not serve is not became of life-threatening danger but because women do not belong there and as much others see it differently, this is halacha”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)