Eli Academy Head Dismisses Political Threats Over State Funding and Identity
Rabbi Yigal Levinstein dismissed political threats against the Bnei David academy, addressing funding concerns, identity challenges, and public leadership values.
The head of the Bnei David pre-military academy in Eli, Rabbi Yigal Levinstein, stated that he does not fear threats regarding the institution's future, despite criticism from the political left. Speaking on Avi Shushan's podcast, Levinstein addressed potential actions by the leader of The Democrats, Yair Golan, who has threatened to halt state funding for the institution over its controversial stances.
Levinstein emphasized that the academy, which has operated for 38 years alongside Rabbi Eli Sadan and lost 34 alumni in the recent war, has weathered historical challenges before and will endure. He defended the institution's core philosophy centered on Torah and Zionism, while dismissing the political opposition's vision of Israel as a state of all its citizens.
Identity Threats and Political Concerns
During the interview, Levinstein warned that forming a government reliant on Arab parties poses a deep ideological threat to the nation's character. Comparing it to the flawed pre-October 7 conceptions, he argued that dissolving the Jewish identity of the state creates long-term existential risks.
The discussion also touched on the phenomenon of hilltop youth. Levinstein shared details of a meeting between religious Zionist rabbis and former Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, where rabbis advocated for an empathetic approach rather than pure enforcement to reintegrate alienated youth.
Stance on Public Leadership and Family Values
Addressing the role of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and LGBTQ representation, Levinstein drew a distinction between personal empathy and public legitimacy. While expressing compassion for individuals dealing with personal challenges, he maintained that the public leadership of a Jewish state should reflect traditional family values.
