IDF Soldiers Jailed for Upholding Religious Law

Three elite combat soldiers from the Givati Brigade have been sentenced to ten days in military prison for refusing to violate Jewish law regarding "yichud" (seclusion) by entering an armored personnel carrier with a female medic. The soldiers, who had risked their lives on the front lines, requested to adhere to religious precepts and avoid entering a confined space with a female, which is prohibited under certain interpretations of Jewish law. Their refusal led to disciplinary action, including dismissal from combat roles and reassignment to kitchen duties, with the entire platoon facing collective punishment.

The article criticizes the military's response, labeling it as "deep halachic ignorance and complete command insensitivity." It argues that instead of focusing on defeating the enemy, the IDF is "breaking soldiers" and imposing "progressive values" over Jewish tradition. The author suggests that senior IDF officials are either unaware of or deliberately ignoring the laws of yichud.

The piece frames the soldiers' imprisonment as an "absurdity" and a "disgraceful punishment" for remaining loyal to their faith. It questions whether the IDF is still a military that respects Judaism and observant soldiers, especially in a Jewish state. The author asserts that such actions damage the trust of the public, which is willing to serve but not at the expense of abandoning Jewish law.

The article concludes by stating that if the military wishes to recruit religious and Haredi individuals, it must first acknowledge itself as a Jewish army in a Jewish state. It criticizes the contradictory approach of making promises to observant soldiers while simultaneously imprisoning them for adhering to basic religious laws.