Rafi Peretz
| Rafi Peretz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
1956 Jerusalem |
| Allegiance | Israel |
| Service/branch | Israel Defense Forces |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Unit | Military Rabbinate |
Rafi Peretz (Hebrew: רפי פרץ; born 1956) is the Chief Military Rabbi of the Israel Defense Forces, succeeding Rabbi Avichai Rontzki in mid-2010.[1][2]
Prior to being promoted to the rank of brigadier general, Peretz was the head of the Otzem Pre-Military Academy in Yated, which was relocated from Bnei Atzmon, where he established it in 1993 and a major (reserves) in the Israeli Air Force, where he served as a helicopter pilot.
Controversy
In November 2014, at a tense time in Jerusalem, Peretz caused a public controversy by announcing that the Temple Mount has no religious significance to the Muslim religion. He was quoted as saying, "“Ninety percent of the Arabs don’t know a thing about the Koran. I tell you with full authority. We know better than many of them."[3]The IDF quickly distanced itself from the rabbi's statements and stated,"The rabbi is sorry if his remarks offended the Arab population."[4]The Jerusalem Post characterized Peretz's denigrating comments as "explosive."[5]
References
- ↑ הרב רונצקי יסיים תפקידו בקיץ. Israel National News (in Hebrew). 2009-12-29. Retrieved 2009-12-29.
- ↑ Gedalyahu, Tzvi Ben (26 January 2010). "Rafi Peretz New Chief Rabbi of IDF: Rabbi Rafi Peretz, who danced with expulsion soldiers in Gush Katif to show unity of IDF, will replace Rabbi Ronsky". Israel National News.
- ↑ Levinson, Chaim 'Chief IDF Rabbi: Temple Mount not for Muslims'(Nov 28, 2014) Haaretz"http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/.premium-1.628969
- ↑ "'IDF chief rabbi: 90% of Muslims don’t know Quran contents'(Nov 28, 2014) Time of Israel
- ↑ "'Chief IDF Rabbi: Muslims pray with face to Mecca, back to Jerusalem'(Nov 28, 2014) The Jerusalem Post"http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4597293,00.html
External links
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