Knesset Forum to Push Back Against Women Tank Crews Draws Senior Religious-Zionist Rabbis

A Knesset conference on Wednesday will focus on opposition to integrating women as combat soldiers in the Armored Corps, as the IDF moves ahead with a pilot program following a High Court ruling. The event is being organized by Yisrael Beiteinu? No, by the Religious Zionism faction chairman, MK Ohad Tal, and is set to bring together senior rabbis, yeshiva and pre-army academy heads from the religious-Zionist camp, along with lawmakers, ministers, civil-society representatives and reserve women soldiers.

Among those expected to attend are Rabbi Avia HaCohen, Rabbi Chaim Gantz, Rabbi Re'ei Peretz, Rabbi Magnus and Rabbi Benny Kalmanson. Justice Minister Yariv Levin is also expected to speak. Tal said the gathering was meant to show that educational leaders are standing together and warned, “Do not tear apart the people’s army,” adding that the IDF should focus only on Israel’s security and not bring “political agendas” into the military. He ended with, “Not equality, only victory!”

In recent weeks, rabbis and heads of institutions in the religious-Zionist sector have publicly opposed the IDF move, and some hesder yeshivas have said they will not encourage their students to enlist in the planned Armored Corps format. They have also claimed that Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has refused to meet them for months despite repeated requests.

The IDF has previously said the women-in-tanks pilot is being examined in line with the High Court’s instructions and operational needs, and that final decisions will be based on the findings. There has also been internal criticism in the military of how the Manpower Directorate and the Ground Forces have handled talks with hesder yeshiva leaders over the mixed-service plan.