Hesder Yeshivas Union Backs Soldiers Refusing Mixed-Gender Service

The Hesder Yeshivas Union, representing dozens of religious Zionist yeshivas, issued a statement supporting soldiers from the Givati Brigade who refused to serve in a Namer armored personnel carrier with a female paramedic. The union stated that the incident, which led to the soldiers' imprisonment, stems from an "impossible conflict" faced by religious soldiers who are forced to serve alongside women in conditions that violate their religious beliefs and military regulations regarding joint service.

The union explained that religious soldiers are "daily confronted with the mixing of male and female combatants" in ways that are "unfitting for Halakha (Jewish law) and their spiritual world." They emphasized that this situation forces soldiers to choose between their faith and their loyalty to the army, harming both the soldiers and the IDF.

According to the union's statement, a thorough investigation revealed that the incident was preceded by a "crisis of confidence" with direct command due to alleged non-adherence to religious law and regulations, coupled with presenting a false picture to the soldiers. The union argued that the severe punishment meted out to the soldiers was disproportionate given the broader context.

While acknowledging that soldiers must trust their commanders and obey orders, especially in operational situations, the union stressed the need for the IDF to create a system where commanders understand their soldiers and prioritize the observance of joint service regulations for religious soldiers. They called on the army to thoroughly investigate and address these issues with the seriousness they deserve.

Five soldiers from the Givati Brigade's Rotem Battalion, including Hesder Yeshiva students, were sentenced to 10 days in military prison for refusing to board the Namer APC with the female paramedic. Eleven other soldiers received 5-day sentences. The refusal occurred during a planned operational activity in the Gaza Strip, which was subsequently canceled. Two of the soldiers sentenced to 10 days will undergo an evaluation committee before returning to combat duty.