Non-kosher food permitted on IDF bases
Shas chairman says he is aware that such policy is unaccepted by army chiefs, but evidently others would like to strip IDF of Jewish identity and soul
A silly question (known as a kitbag question in IDF slang) that appeared in the IDF's official publication "Bamachane" is likely to create a coalition crisis. Shas Chairman Eliyahu Yishai was shocked to discover that the army has officially admitted that eating non-kosher food (trefa) inside IDF bases is permitted.
Hence, Yishai is urging the chief of staff to change General Staff orders on the matter and has threatened that if the ruling is not reversed Shas would spearhead legislation in the Knesset.
The story was divulged after a silly question appeared in the latest edition of "Bamachane." A soldier by the name of Private Alex, serving in the air force, addressed the publication with a question: "Last Saturday my grandmother visited me on the base and brought food that wasn't kosher. Am I supposed to be punished for such a thing?" he asked.
A military official answered the soldier: "There is no order forbidding the eating of non-kosher food on military bases. The only order pertaining to the matter relates to such food being brought into military kitchens."
The military response also noted: "During the Passover holidays, orders on the matter are more stringent, and 'chametz' must not be brought into a military base or facility. In other words, you can tell your grandmother that she can continue spoiling you with her foods at least until the Passover holiday."
'Severe blow to the IDF's image'
After Yishai read the response he dispatched an urgent letter to chief of staff Dan Halutz. "I was shocked to read in the "Bamachane'" newspaper that it is permitted to bring non-kosher food into military bases," Yishai wrote.
"Such a sever blow to the IDF's image constitutes a direct blow to the image of the State. I am certain that a lot of non-kosher food is being put on the mess hall tables of military bases as it is impossible to enforce the prohibition of non-kosher food from being brought in during hours of operation.
"I would thank you in advance for consolidating General Staff orders for the entire Chief Rabbinate and the IDF in order to preserve the fact that the Israel Defense Forces belongs to the entire State."
Minister Yishai told the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper that what he deems so serious is the fact that the IDF has officially admitted that eating non-kosher food on military bases is permitted, and that there is no reference to the way it is supposed to be enforced in the event that such the order is breached.
"I know that this policy is not acceptable by army chiefs, but evidently there are those in the intermediate ranks that would like to strip the IDF of its Jewish identity and soul. The distance between permitting non-kosher food in the soldiers' dwellings and in the dining room after hours is negligent, and the next stage would be that a religious soldier would not be able to enter a military mess hall. "
The IDF spokesperson responded Sunday evening by saying: "Minister Yishai's letter has not yet been received at the chief of staff's office. With regards to kosher laws – General Staff orders call for abiding by kosher laws in kitchens and in IDF mess halls. A soldier is permitted to bring in non-kosher food to army bases as long as he does not break the aforesaid rules."
