Former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu says soldiers ordered to expel Jews from Gaza should disobey the orders – risking prison if necessary.
In an interview published in the weekly edition of the “Maayanei HaYeshuah” Torah pamphlet and translated by Arutz Sheva, the rabbi said: “Someone who enlists in the army knows intuitively that he will receive orders … and that if his commander insists upon giving him orders that are contrary to the Torah he must tell him ‘No, I will not do that!'”
The rabbi explained that since the punishment for refusing is not death, the choice between obeying an immoral order and disobeying is not even a close call.
“What will they do to him?” asked the rabbi. “Send him to jail? So send him to jail. This is not a matter of life and death, he will not be stoned or killed.”
What about the way such a refusal – perhaps by many observant soldiers – might impact the institution of the Israel Defense Forces?
“This does not damage the army,” he said. “What does the law say? You must listen to your commander – and if you don’t – prison, correct? So prison it is!”
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has pledged to dismantle Jewish communities in Gaza and some areas of the West Bank because Israel can no longer protect the people from attacks by terrorists. But the decision to pullout of traditionally Jewish lands does not sit well with many in the Jewish state. Some even see it as a violation of Hebrew scriptures.
The rabbi, meanwhile, expressed certainty the disengagement plan will not be carried out.
“We need to continue to oppose it, to make noise, to pray and fast over how we came to such a situation … but with all that said, I declare: It will not happen,” he said. “I tell you, there will be no disengagement!”
