IDF Faces Demand for Male Fitness Instructors for Religious Recruits
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Religious soldiers in the Golani Brigade's training base are requesting male fitness instructors due to discomfort with female instructors. The IDF stated that assignments depend on available instructors and current regulations allow male instructors only in specific situations. A women's advocacy group criticized the IDF's stance, while the military reiterated its commitment to accommodating religious soldiers' lifestyles.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yeshiva students in Golani Brigade's training base demand male fitness instructors.
- Soldiers cite discomfort and difficulty training under female instructors.
- IDF says instructor assignments depend on available recruits and regulations.
- Previous directives offered broader accommodation for religious soldiers.
- Advocacy group criticizes IDF for potentially compromising religious soldiers' values.
Soldiers from the "Bnei Yeshiva" (yeshiva students) track in the Golani Brigade's training base (BAH) have appealed to their battalion commander requesting a male fitness instructor. They cite difficulties in training under a female instructor's guidance. The appeal has also reached the "Ez Ba'Namer" rabbis' hotline.
According to the soldiers, the issue arose with the first recruitment cycle where they encountered a female instructor, causing discomfort among some soldiers, prompting them to seek change. They submitted a detailed letter to the battalion commander explaining the importance of a male instructor for their military service. Some soldiers also approached the commander personally.
The "Ez Ba'Namer" hotline indicated that the problem extends beyond this specific case and relates to army regulations concerning the assignment of fitness instructors. Current orders limit the entitlement to a male instructor to situations involving potential physical contact, seclusion, or immodest attire, a departure from previous directives that offered broader accommodation for religious soldiers in fitness and shooting drills.
"The soldiers really want this. Almost everyone I spoke to said it bothers them," stated a message to the hotline. The soldiers aim not to offend commanders but to find a solution that allows yeshiva students to serve while maintaining their lifestyle and faith, with the potential to extend this accommodation to other bases and brigades.
The "Women Soldiers' Headquarters for the Sanctity of the Camp" expressed strong disapproval of the decision to deny a male fitness instructor to the "Bnei Yeshiva" track at the Golani BAH. They stated that religious and Haredi soldiers should not have to choose between meaningful military service and adhering to their way of life and faith, and the army must enable them to serve according to their values. They called on the IDF to resolve the issue fundamentally, assign male fitness instructors to "Bnei Yeshiva" tracks, and ensure religious soldiers can serve with dignity without compromising their faith or halachic commitments.
The IDF Spokesperson responded to Channel 7, stating that a chief of staff directive on joint service allows religious soldiers to receive training within a gender-segregated framework and instruction by a same-sex instructor in training where there is a concern of physical contact, seclusion, or revealing clothing. An examination revealed that a male fitness instructor had not yet been assigned to the Golani BAH because instructor assignments depend on the available recruits in each cycle. Until a male instructor is assigned, the base will provide a professional, adapted response, ensuring compliance with joint service directives and respect for the soldiers' way of life. The IDF affirmed its commitment to upholding the lifestyle of all its service members in accordance with regulations.