IDF rejects controversial reservist Rabbi Avraham Zarbiv as military representative for state torchlighting ceremony

The IDF clarifies that controversial reservist Avraham Zarbiv, selected by Miri Regev to light a torch, is not an official representative of the military.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 16, 2026, 3:08 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

Military Clarifies Selection Process for National Ceremony

The Israel Defense Forces has issued a formal statement to distinguish its official representatives from Avraham Zarbiv, a controversial reservist rabbi chosen for a high-profile national honor. During a press conference held last night, IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin stated that Rabbi Zarbiv was not selected in coordination with the military leadership. The move comes as the army seeks to maintain a clear boundary between its institutional representatives and individuals chosen by civilian political leaders for the annual Independence Day ceremony at Mount Herzl.

Political Appointment Triggers Institutional Friction

Zarbiv, a state rabbinical judge, was nominated for the honor by Transportation Minister Miri Regev, who oversees the planning of the state’s official symbols and ceremonies. Regev’s selection of the reservist has been met with internal pushback from the military establishment, which traditionally coordinates its own list of torchlighters. The public disavowal by the IDF Spokesman underscores a growing tension between the professional military brass and the political echelon regarding the criteria for national recognition during the ongoing conflict.

Controversial Rhetoric and Gaza Operations

The friction stems largely from Zarbiv’s public statements and his conduct during his reserve service in a bulldozing unit. The rabbi has gained notoriety for calling to flatten Gaza and for his vocal support of establishing Israeli settlements within the territory. Furthermore, Zarbiv has faced criticism for celebrating the demolition of buildings carried out by his unit. These positions have placed him at the center of a domestic ethical debate, particularly after a state ombudsman previously ruled that his public expressions violated the professional codes of conduct for rabbinical judges.