Words that the newly promoted chief rabbi of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Col. Eyal Karim, spoke in the past have caused an uproar in Israel. Interpreting Jewish law in a certain way, Karim permitted IDF soldiers to rape gentile women during wartime, called gays “maimed human beings” and stated that women are sentimental creatures who need to be “in their husbands' possession.” The rabbi also opposed the drafting of women into the IDF and to women singing in front of men in the IDF, according to the rabbinical principle of “a woman’s voice is sexually enticing.”
Supporters of Karim explain that these statements are not the rabbi’s opinions, but are interpretations he gave to texts of Jewish law that have no connection to contemporary life. They say that he is in favor of women serving in the IDF, is against rape in any shape or form, and has attended dozens of events and ceremonies over the years in which women sang — and did not feel it necessary to leave the room. An officer who has spoken with Karim in the past told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, “When I put on my uniform, the uniform determines my actions.” Thus, he made it clear that in the case of a contradiction between Jewish law and the army's order, anyone wearing an IDF uniform is obliged to obey his commanders.
