IDF Soldiers Jailed for Refusing Mission With Female Medic

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced late Thursday that 16 soldiers from the Rotem Battalion of the Givati Brigade were sent to military prison for refusing an operational patrol in Gaza. The soldiers, some of whom are from yeshiva backgrounds, reportedly refused to board an armored personnel carrier for the mission upon learning that a female paramedic would be accompanying them.

Five of the soldiers who led the refusal were sentenced to 10 days in military prison, while 11 others received five-day sentences. The battalion commander handed down the punishments based on the soldiers' level of involvement. The patrol was ultimately canceled due to their refusal. According to the IDF, while the unit commanders agreed to proceed with the mission, only the soldiers refused to participate specifically because of the female medic's presence.

Attempts to change their minds included a discussion with the company commander explaining the mission's importance and urgency, and the brigade rabbi also gave them permission to go. Despite these efforts, the soldiers maintained their refusal.

A soldier from a parallel battalion composed of Haredi soldiers told the outlet, "In training, everything is separate and defined, and when you get to the battalion, you get this slap in the face. Unfortunately, now they will also pay for it." Reserve paramedic Alisa Karant expressed frustration, stating, "It is very frustrating to hear that orders are refused because of the presence of a paramedic like me." She emphasized her professional role and the religious permissibility of female medical care in life-threatening situations, noting that women serve alongside men in combat roles without issue since the war began.

Karant added that while she is not happy about any soldier being punished, she believes the punishment shows the army is taking the issue seriously. However, she feels that "punishment alone will not bring change; it will come through proper explanation and assimilation of the meaning of our role."