Shocking move: Leading Religious Zionist Rabbi -  Shlomo Aviner - crosses into Syria: Why did he do it? 

In a controversial incident reported by Arutz Sheva on Monday, Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, accompanied by his assistant Rabbi Mordechai Tzion and reservists from the Military Rabbinate, visited Tel Kudna on the Syrian side of the Israel-Syria border. The IDF has stated that while the visit was authorized by military officials, it did not receive approval from the relevant authorities qualified to sanction such trips.

The area visited is part of the Golan Heights, which is under Israeli control but lies close to the Syrian border. Rabbi Tzion told Arutz Sheva that the purpose of their visit was to boost the morale of soldiers stationed at the front lines.

He recalled Rabbi Aviner’s message of encouragement, which included an interpretation of Torah teachings about the land: “The rabbi said that it is not clear from the Torah that the location we were in is considered ‘Syria,’ but it is probably the land of Israel.” Rabbi Aviner also referenced a Midrash that mentions Jerusalem extending to the gates of Damascus, presenting an allegorical connection between their location and the historic Jerusalem-Damascus link.

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit explained that those involved in the visit were on active reserve duty and had traveled to the area to provide a Passover lesson. However, the spokesperson clarified that the entry into Syrian territory was authorized by an individual without the proper qualifications to approve such actions, and the incident is currently under investigation.