Israeli Soldier Begins 30-Day Sentence Over "Messiah" Patch; Boaz Bismuth Calls It "A Troubling Morning in the IDF"

The punishment imposed on the Nahal soldier who wore a "Messiah" patch—and who began serving a 30-day prison sentence today (Sunday)—continues to stir controversy in the political arena. Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chair MK Boaz Bismuth has launched a public attack on IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and is calling for the decision to be reversed.

Bismuth revealed this morning that he spoke with the soldier’s parents and made clear that he is working to try to change the decision. According to him, this is a punishment that fails the test of proportionality. He told the soldier’s parents: "The punishment is disproportionate, wrong, and unjust. I do not usually intervene, I respect institutions, but here you are right. Every soldier is like my own child. I am not a religious man and I do not wear a kippah, but like every Jew in the world I pray three times a day for the coming of the Mashiach. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that!".

Earlier, Bismuth posted on X, attacking the decision: "A troubling morning in the IDF. A Nahal soldier will begin serving a 30-day prison sentence today when his only 'offense' was wearing a Mashiach patch. In recent days I have been working with military officials to bring about the cancellation of the sentence, and I continue to make every effort to do so. The decision by IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir is disproportionate and unacceptable. The IDF must maintain discipline, but it must also uphold proportionality and fairness toward its soldiers. I call on the Chief of Staff to reverse this mistaken and extreme decision—it is not too late to correct it."

Minister Idit Silman also joined the attack on the Chief of Staff: "An IDF that was weak מול refusal to serve, which brought upon us the October 7 massacre, is now acting heroically against soldiers who wear the symbol of Jewish faith. Mr. Chief of Staff, one who believes is not afraid. Reverse yourself!"

MK Tally Gotliv also joined the sharp criticism: "If because of a Mashiach patch on a uniform a Chief of Staff sends a soldier to 30 days in prison, then over this severe distortion of judgment by the Chief of Staff, I would send him home!"

Responding to Bismuth’s post, MK Efrat Rayten of the Democrats party wrote: "Boaz, another friend from my son Maoz’s platoon, of blessed memory, was killed last night in drone attacks that we still have no answer for. So this is a very troubling and very sad morning."

This is not the first time Bismuth has attacked the Chief of Staff’s decision. Just last week, after the IDF announcement about the soldier’s punishment was published, he wrote: "The decision is severe and outrageous. Only a year ago, Chief of Staff Zamir expressed himself very differently. The Chief of Staff must answer what has changed מאז, and whether media and political pressure is being applied to the IDF’s top command that he is unable to withstand. The IDF must maintain discipline, but also fairness. Release the soldier now."