Yigal Levinstein Image by YouTube

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel’s Defense Ministry said it would not remove recognition from a pre-military yeshiva in the West Bank over comments by its leader that disparaged female soldiers.

The ministry made the announcement Wednesday after Israel’s attorney general, Avichai Mandelblit, said that the defense minister lacks the authority to withdraw recognition of the yeshiva’s programs, Ynet reported.

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman threatened to withdraw recognition of the the yeshiva, the Bnei David academy, after its leader, Rabbi Yigal Levinstein, said military service made women “crazy.” Liberman had summoned Levinstein for a meeting, which the rabbi said he would not attend.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Levinstein has been under fire since he told several hundred students earlier this month that military service warps women’s priorities.

“They draft them. They go in Jewish and they’re not Jewish when they come out — not in terms of genetics. Their whole system of values becomes confused, their priorities – home, career. They’ll make them all crazy. Agreeing to this is forbidden,” Levinstein said.

Om Tuesday, Levinstein said in a letter to his students and supporters of the yeshiva that the tone of his comments was “inappropriate,” though he also said that some of his comments were taken out of context. He also defended his point saying his point, saying “women have been taken hostage by the feminist movement.”

Levinstein reportedly has been criticized for the remarks by his students, their parents and donors to the yeshiva.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount