Haredi Reserve Major Shreds Plan for New Haredi "Internal Borders Unit"

In a blistering audio recording, Reserve Major Eli Adler, a Haredi military rabbi and former combat soldier, tears apart the secret plan to create a new "Internal Borders Unit" (YAGAH), calling it "a private militia with zero logic or feasibility."

Adler, who served for decades as a frontline fighter before becoming a military chaplain, was reacting to Kikar HaShabbat's bombshell exposé on the initiative led by Rabbi Avraham Deutsch (head of the Ma’ale Adumim Badatz) and Reserve Brig. Gen. Yoeli Or.

"There is no feasibility in the world for establishing a unit like this, not from the state, not from the IDF, not from the police, not from the courts, and not even from the rabbis," Adler declares in the recording.

A "Private Militia" Funded by Begging?

The proposal, detailed in a 20-page booklet, envisions a standalone Haredi security force tasked with protecting Haredi neighborhoods, yeshivas, and public spaces, independent of the IDF or police. Adler zeroes in on the command structure: "This is a kind of independent militia where the commanders are appointed by the Council of Torah Sages (Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah)."

Funding? Partially from the Defense Ministry, but most for weapons, ammo, vests, vehicles, uniforms, and boots would come from private donations."You can’t run a combat-ready unit dependent on the mercy of donors," Adler blasts. "An association will be set up to shnorr (beg) money to keep this unit afloat."

Who Commands the Commanders?

The core flaw, says Adler, is command and control: "There is zero feasibility for a unit not subordinate to the IDF, its commanders, and the Defense Minister, or to the police and the Public Security Minister, but instead answerable to rabbis and the Council of Torah Sages."

"Will rabbis give operational orders? Why bring in Haredi commanders if they too need oversight? Who commands them? Back to the Council of Torah Sages. It’s a plan with no logic or feasibility."

Adler rejects the booklet’s claim that Gedolei Yisrael have always opposed Haredi military service: "That doesn’t hold up to reality. Since the state’s founding, tens of thousands of Haredim have served, if not more. Until the 1980s, most served in regular units (often after marriage). Since 1999, with the creation of the 'Haredi Nahal' (now Netzah Yehuda), over 30,000 Haredim have served in adapted tracks."

"Never in history did the Council of Torah Sages take such a stance."

The booklet quotes a harsh ruling: "Anyone who says you can serve in the army and remain religious, their status is like Mizrachi members: Sabbath desecrators, their wine is yayin nesech, their meat is forbidden, and they cannot be counted in a minyan."

Adler fires back:"I don’t know a single rabbi who ever said anything so bizarre."

He names prominent Haredi rabbis who served:

Rabbi Efraim Tzamal zt"l - rose to Lt. Col.

Rabbi Chaim Baksht zt"l - also Lt. Col.

The previous Shtetl-Vizhnitz Rebbe zt"l

Rabbi Elazar Gafni (brother of MK Moshe Gafni) - reached Major

"So they’re not counted in a minyan? Their meat is treif? Their wine is yayin nesech? This is utterly absurd."

Adler debunks a claimed quote from former IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi:The booklet says Ashkenazi told Rabbi Deutsch: "There’s no need to draft Haredim, the army is going professional."

"Never happened," Adler says. "I met Ashkenazi multiple times. He was deeply involved in plans to integrate Haredim, never a 'professional army' model."

He also dismantles exaggerated claims:

"50% of IDF casualties from friendly fire"?

→ "Absurd. In the current war, ~920 soldiers fell. Does anyone believe 460 were killed by our own fire?"

"One Iraqi missile killed 300 U.S. troops in the Gulf War"?

→ "False. One Scud hit a U.S. base in Saudi Arabia, 39 killed, not 300."

Even the Rabbis Won’t Buy It

Adler concludes:"I have no doubt even the rabbis will reject this. Those who oppose any military service, even in units like 'Hasmonean,' will oppose this too, for the same halachic concerns."

"In short: It’s unfeasible. No state approval. No IDF approval. No ability to function as an independent militia not under military or police command. And as I said, even the rabbis won’t agree."