Israeli Army Bans Radical ‘Messiah’ Patch from Uniform

The Israeli military has taken action to prohibit soldiers from displaying non-military symbols on their uniforms following a recent incident involving ultra-religious “Messiah” patches. This move comes after previous controversy over some troops wearing ‘Greater Israel’ badges, which sparked international outrage.

Israeli Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi observed soldiers wearing the “Messiah” patch on their arms during a visit to a unit in southern Lebanon. This symbol is associated with a messianic Zionist ideology that advocates for the rebuilding of the Third Temple and is linked to the radical Hilltop Youth settler group. The emblem features a crown with the word “Messiah” in Hebrew below, originating from a specific branch of Chabad Orthodox Judaism, one of the largest Hasidic movements.

Reports indicate that Halevi personally removed the religious symbol from a soldier’s uniform sleeve, placing it in the soldier’s breast pocket, emphasizing that only military-related items should be displayed on uniforms. This incident follows previous accusations of misconduct among Israeli troops during the conflict in Gaza, including instances where soldiers were seen wearing ‘Greater Israel’ maps on their uniforms, depicting a vision of Israel encompassing historic Palestine along with parts of neighboring countries.

The concept of ‘Greater Israel’ is supported by some far-right members of the Israeli government who advocate for the annexation of additional Arab territories, reflecting a hardline perspective on Israel’s territorial boundaries. Halevi’s directive during his operational visit stressed the importance of adhering to military insignia on uniforms, particularly in the context of Israel’s military actions in Lebanon and airstrikes across the region.

The Israeli army’s decision to enforce uniform regulations has sparked criticism from certain Jewish Orthodox groups, such as the Torat Lechima organization, which collaborates with the military to bolster Jewish identity and combat readiness within the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and defense community. Torat Lechima condemned Halevi for interfering with the symbol, arguing that it was not in line with military standards. The organization also criticized the army for promoting an LGBT-friendly flag as a military symbol.

Tensions between the Orthodox community and the military have escalated, especially with the recent introduction of mandatory conscription for men from the ultra-religious Haredi community. The Chabad-Lubavitch movement, a prominent Hasidic group within Orthodox Judaism, has been actively involved with the military, establishing a presence in conflict zones such as Beit Hanoun in north Gaza.

The ‘Messiah’ symbol holds significance within the Chabad-Lubavitch community, representing beliefs in Messianism and the awaited Messiah, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who passed away in 1994. Videos have surfaced showing community members distributing badges and stickers with the Messiah symbol to soldiers, further highlighting the intersection of religious beliefs and military service within certain sectors of Israeli society.

Overall, the Israeli military’s decision to restrict non-military symbols on uniforms underscores the complexities surrounding religious and ideological expressions within the armed forces, prompting discussions on the appropriate display of personal beliefs in a military context.