IDF Soldiers Jailed for Refusing Mission With Female Medic

Three soldiers from the Givati Brigade's Rotem Battalion, who are students at a Hesder Yeshiva, were sentenced to 10 days in military prison for refusing to participate in an operational mission. The soldiers, who adhere to religious observance, objected to boarding an Namer armored personnel carrier alongside a female paramedic. Despite attempts at command discussions and consultation with the brigade's rabbi, the soldiers maintained their refusal.

The battalion commander ultimately decided to impose the 10-day sentence. The mission, which involved a patrol in the Gaza Strip, was canceled due to their refusal.

An organization called "Fighters' Wives for the Sanctity of the Camp" strongly condemned the sentencing, calling it a "moral low" and demanding the soldiers' immediate release. They accused the military of enforcing a "progressive agenda" and stated that observant soldiers should not be mistreated. The organization also criticized the Chief of Staff and the Defense Minister, questioning the possibility of drafting Haredi men while religious soldiers face punishment for upholding religious values.

Rabbi Dror Aryeh, a rabbi at the Sderot Hesder Yeshiva, also criticized the decision, calling it "unprecedented audacity" and blaming the Defense Minister for failing to protect soldiers from "progressive madness." He described the soldiers as heroes who would be remembered for their stand and suggested that their commanders, who he claimed acted against Halakha and orders, should have been the ones tried.