IDF Moves Female Artillery Soldiers During Netanyahu's Visit to South Lebanon to Avoid Contact with Haredi Troops

During Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to southern Lebanon on April 10, four female artillery soldiers were relocated from their post to another building to avoid being seen by soldiers from the Haredi-only Netzah Yehuda Battalion (also known as the Hachshmonaim Brigade). The visit included Netanyahu and Defense Minister meeting commanders and troops, with photo sessions involving the Hachshmonaim soldiers who had arrived from a different base. The commanders had promised the Hachshmonaim troops that no female soldiers would be present during their stay.

According to the mother of one of the female soldiers, the women and men had prepared the building by cleaning and reinforcing it ahead of the visit. However, shortly before Netanyahu's arrival, the four women were instructed to move to a different house and remain on the lower floor for the entire visit to prevent accidental encounters with the Hachshmonaim soldiers. The official explanation given was "to respect" the religious sensitivities of the Haredi soldiers.

The Hachshmonaim Brigade is a combat unit specifically for Haredi soldiers and recently completed its first battalion-level exercise in the Golan Heights, training in open terrain and urban warfare. The brigade continues to develop as a combat infantry unit while maintaining its unique religious identity. This incident adds to ongoing debates about gender segregation and the exclusion of women in various Israeli military and public contexts, raising questions about the IDF's policies on female integration and religious accommodations.

No official response has yet been issued by the IDF or the Prime Minister's Office regarding the incident.