IDF Chief Responds for First Time to Hesder Yeshiva Rabbis' Letter

Photo: Yonatan Zindel, Flash 90

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir is responding for the first time to the letter from Hesder yeshiva heads opposing the integration of female combat soldiers in the armor corps, and clarifies that the IDF is committed to safeguarding the needs of the religious public. According to him, the integration of all populations will be done "alongside, and not at the expense of," other groups. "We have no other alternative," the chief of staff stressed.

He is addressing, for the first time, the letter from the heads of Hesder yeshivas and emphasizing that the integration of women into the armor corps will not come at the expense of religious servicemen. "The IDF is the army of the people. For that reason, I see supreme importance in integrating all sectors into its ranks, especially in the combat and combat-support array."

1 + Female armor soldier on a tank | Photo: IDF Spokesperson

According to him, "This complex integration will always be carried out in a way that allows one public to serve alongside another and not at its expense. I am saying here clearly, I fully understand, and the IDF fully understands, the sensitivities and balances required, and I have no doubt that we will know how to overcome this challenge as well, because we have no other alternative. We are all together for the highest purpose of all, ensuring the security and strengthening the future of the State of Israel."

The protest by Hesder rabbis against the integration of female combat soldiers in the armor corps is expanding significantly.

The remarks were made by the chief of staff at the IDF Workers Organization conference. During the speech, he addressed the employees and said, "My dear IDF employees, men and women, you imbue meaning every day, every hour, in the words of Joshua bin Nun and Caleb ben Yefuneh: 'The land is very, very good.' They proved faith and action. In your daily work, at the heart of the challenging reality of the State of Israel, you build the tools that enable us to exist here as a people. Tonight I want to thank you, in my name and in the name of the entire IDF, for your years of labor and the joint march for Israel's security."

Earlier today, we reported that the storm over service in the armor corps is intensifying, with 11 additional Hesder yeshiva heads, along with two rabbis who asked to remain anonymous, joining a letter calling on students not to enlist in the corps due to the promotion of integrating female soldiers. Among the new rabbis who signed the letter are Rabbi Michael Aharonov of Ma'ale Ephraim Yeshiva, Rabbi Elisha Yinon of Afula, Rabbi Shlomo Sasson of Beit She'an, and Rabbi David Amitai of Avinoam Yeshiva.

The list of new signatories also includes Rabbi Eyal Yaakovovich of Safed, Rabbi Yehoshua Schmidt of Nachalat Yosef, Rabbi Shlomo Binyamin of Lev Ladaat Yeshiva, Rabbi Eliyahu Mali of Jaffa, Rabbi David Turgeman of Dimona, and Rabbis Eran Tamir and Avihu Fishpeder of Ashkelon.

1 + Female armor soldier | Photo: IDF Spokesperson

In their harshly worded letter, the yeshiva heads clarify that the High Court ruling obligating the IDF to integrate female soldiers into the maneuvering armor corps led them to conclude that service in this corps is forbidden under Jewish law. The rabbis said the decision was made after serious deliberation, and they formally declared that they will no longer send their students to serve in the armor corps starting with the upcoming enlistment date. They also raised serious claims that the army is completely ignoring them and the requests of the students slated for service.

By contrast, the IDF tried to calm tensions and stressed that even if the planned pilot for integrating women is approved, men and women will not serve together in the same company. IDF Spokesperson said the High Court did not order the blanket enlistment of female combat soldiers, but rather instructed that the pilot be carried out as an initial experiment for review, and that the issue and its decisions have not yet been placed before the chief of staff for discussion and a final ruling. The army maintains that the pilot will be carried out with strict adherence to the joint service order and in compliance with all required operational and professional standards.

Eyal Zamir, enlistment of women, armor corps, Hesder yeshivas, IDF