Minister of Agriculture (Bayit Yehudi) Uri Ariel spoke about the regulation released from the IDF Chief of Manpower Branch instructing soldiers to be clean shaven. Ariel spoke with Kol Chai Radio on Monday morning 20 Adar-I, stating he has consulted on the matter with Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, with the latter explaining he is not familiar with all the relevant facts and he is going to probe the matter and then he will get back to him on it.

Ariel stated the matter pertains to religious soldiers of all hashkafos, and not to those who wish to avoid shaving for days at a time. He told Kol Chai he hopes the soldiers in question are Shomer Shabbos and not just soldiers seeking to take advantage of a situation.

When asked by Kol Chai if he feels a soldier should go to jail rather than shave, Ariel sidestepped the question.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)