Makor RishonSecurity15:47

Historic First Officer Course Graduates for Hasmonean Brigade

By ישי אלמקייס־אלרם

Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba

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Hebrew · 5 newsrooms covering

Fifteen cadets graduated from the Hasmonean Brigade's first officer course in Jerusalem, marking a historic integration milestone for the ultra-Orthodox community in the IDF. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir praised the graduates, calling the event "historic and moving." The eight-month course included combat training and operational activities, with accommodations for the cadets' religious lifestyle. The new officers will fill key roles within the brigade, which has also seen recent operational activity in southern Lebanon.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Fifteen cadets graduated from the Hasmonean Brigade's first officer course in Jerusalem.
Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir called the graduation "historic and moving" and praised integration efforts.
The eight-month course accommodated the ultra-Orthodox lifestyle and included combat training.
The Hasmonean Brigade is the IDF's first unit specifically for ultra-Orthodox soldiers.
The brigade's "Yontan" battalion recently completed six months of operations in southern Lebanon.

Historic First Officer Course Graduates for Hasmonean Brigade — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

In a historic first, 15 cadets completed the initial officer course for the Hasmonean Brigade, a unit integrating members of the ultra-Orthodox community into the IDF. The graduation ceremony took place Tuesday on the rooftop of Yeshivat Hakotel in Jerusalem's Old City, one day before the general officer course graduation at Bahad 1.

The eight-month course was conducted in accordance with IDF directives for integrating the ultra-Orthodox, with accommodations for their lifestyle, including strict kashrut, prayer times, and gender-separated environments. Cadets underwent field training, combat and command instruction, and participated in live-fire exercises and the "Northern Arrow" drill. They also took part in operational activities in Lebanon and the West Bank.

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir addressed the graduates, calling the event "historic and moving" and emphasizing their role in forging a new path for ultra-Orthodox integration in the military. He stated, "You are leaders fulfilling a great vision of the entire Jewish people. I see the ultra-Orthodox community as an integral part of Israeli society." Zamir added that the new officers would be deployed for various missions, contributing to the Hasmonean Brigade's strength.

The Hasmonean Brigade, established as the IDF's first ultra-Orthodox brigade, has been undergoing force-building efforts. The course's completion is seen as a significant step in developing a dedicated ultra-Orthodox command structure. Recruitment for the next officer course, scheduled to open in November, is currently underway.

The Hasmonean Brigade has also been involved in operational activities, with one of its battalions, "Yontan," recently completing six months of operations in southern Lebanon. The brigade was formed rapidly, entering combat within 18 months of its establishment.