Rabbi draws Israeli lawmakers wrath

JERUSALEM, July 2 (UPI) -- Members of Israel's parliament called for the ouster of the army's chief rabbi who reportedly said women should not have to serve in the military.

Maariv reported Thursday Israeli parliamentarians were outraged over statements allegedly made by Brig. Gen. Avihai Ronsky and demanded he appear before a Knesset panel to explain himself.

Israeli females serve in key roles in the army, an organization that offers equal opportunities to all, the paper said.

Parliamentarian Orit Zuaretz, called the rabbi's statements primitive and dark. She refused to accept the rabbi's explanation that the statements were his own personal point of view, saying when wearing a uniform it is unacceptable to make personal comments, the paper quoted her as saying.

Zuaretz called on the chief of staff to consider firing Ronsky, saying the army and its commanders and officers should set an educational and spiritual example, the paper said. Parliamentarian and former military spokeswoman Miri Regev called Ronsky's remarks unfitting and said she hoped he would retract them.

A statement released by the army said Ronsky denied making the comments, the paper said.