Rabbi Calls for Release of Soldiers Who Refused Mission with Female Medic

Rabbi Eliyahu Levin, a prominent figure in the Samaria region and head of the Alon Moreh Yeshiva, has publicly criticized the detention of several soldiers from the Givaty Brigade who refused to board an armored personnel carrier (APC) with a female paramedic. Rabbi Levin argued that the soldiers acted correctly by refusing the mission because they were unaware that the brigade rabbi had granted an exceptional permit for the mission to include female medics.

He stated that the soldiers were acting in accordance with joint service regulations, as the information about the exceptional permit, issued by the Givaty Brigade rabbi to commanders, was not communicated to them. Rabbi Levin also pointed to a prior incident where soldiers received inaccurate information from a company commander, allegedly in the name of the brigade rabbi, which he claims led to a crisis of trust.

"Punishment! For what and why?" Rabbi Levin questioned, asserting that the soldiers' refusal was justified due to the lack of communication. He suggested that the punishment demonstrates the IDF's weakness in admitting its mistakes.

Furthermore, Rabbi Levin expressed concern that this incident could negatively impact the IDF's efforts to recruit Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men. He believes the message sent by the IDF in this case contradicts its attempts to encourage Haredi youth to enlist, sarcastically remarking that forcing soldiers into such situations and then imprisoning them is hardly an encouragement.

He concluded by urging defense officials to reverse their decision, admit to a command error in communication, and immediately release the detained soldiers.