Rabbi Levinstein Claims IDF 'Abolishing' Chief Rabbi Role Amid Gender Dispute

Rabbi Yigal Levinstein, head of the Bnei David institutions in Eli, has issued a statement claiming the IDF has decided to "abolish" the role of the Chief Military Rabbi (Ramatkal). He asserts this is a consequence of the military forcing religious soldiers to violate Halakha, specifically by entering armored personnel carriers with female medics. Levinstein blames the IDF's Manpower Directorate (AKA) for prioritizing the inclusion of female medics, creating an "impossible Halakhic solution" for the Chief Military Rabbi, forcing a choice between canceling operations or violating religious law.

Levinstein voiced strong support for the soldiers from the Givati Brigade's Rotem Battalion who were court-martialed for refusing to participate in an operation. The incident occurred when these soldiers, students from Hesder Yeshivas, were ordered to conduct a mission in Gaza requiring them to board an Namer armored vehicle. Upon learning a female paramedic would be part of the crew, three soldiers refused to board, and an additional five soldiers refused to carry out the mission. This refusal led to the cancellation of the operational activity.

As a result of their refusal, the soldiers faced disciplinary action. Three soldiers who refused to board received 10-day jail sentences, while the other five who refused to perform the mission received 5-day jail sentences. The rest of the platoon was confined to base until the situation was resolved. Levinstein praised the soldiers for their "heroism and steadfastness in preserving Judaism in the Israel Defense Forces."