Female Officer Denied Entry to IDF Base Due to Gender
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
A female IDF logistics officer was denied entry to a military base on Mount Hermon to provide heating services because she is a woman. The incident occurred at the ultra-Orthodox Hasmonean Brigade, which has signs stating "Men Only." The Dvorah Forum chairwoman wrote to the IDF Chief of Staff, citing this and other violations of joint service orders. The IDF stated that special orders regulate service for various groups, based on the principle of a people's army.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A female IDF officer was denied entry to a military base on Mount Hermon due to her gender.
- The base, part of the ultra-Orthodox Hasmonean Brigade, had signs indicating it was "Men Only."
- The Dvorah Forum's chairwoman alerted the IDF Chief of Staff to multiple violations of joint service orders.
- The forum stated that excluding women harms operational readiness, as they form 20% of combat units.
- The IDF maintains that special orders regulate service for diverse groups within the army.
A female logistics officer was denied entry to a military base on Mount Hermon, where she had arrived to ensure soldiers had hot water and heating ahead of winter. The officer, who was performing her professional duties, was barred from entering the base because she is a woman. This incident, reported by Walla on Thursday, October 22, is one of several occurring within the ultra-Orthodox Hasmonean Brigade.
Pnina Sharvit-Baruch, chairwoman of the Dvorah Forum, sent an urgent letter to IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir regarding numerous violations of the order on joint service for men and women, and damage to IDF values within the Hasmonean Brigade. She emphasized that one in five soldiers in combat units is a woman and that excluding female soldiers harms operational readiness, especially when the army is in need of personnel.
Sharvit-Baruch also shared a photograph of official signs at the base's entrance stating "Men Only." She stated that barring a female officer from performing her duties, alongside the practice of excluding women through official signage, crosses a red line concerning values, command, and operational activities.
The IDF responded that a reply to the letter would be sent directly to the sender. The military also stated that "special orders are in effect in the IDF regulating the service of various population groups within its ranks. They are based on the fundamental principle of the IDF as a people's army, uniting representatives of different population groups and striving to enable their service, based on the understanding that the army needs everyone and can accept everyone into its ranks."