Rotem Battalion Soldiers Refused Orders Due to Distrust of Commanders on Religious Matters

A letter from a soldier in the Rotem Battalion of the Givati Brigade has shed light on the reasons behind a group of soldiers' refusal to board an armored personnel carrier carrying a medic. The soldier claims the refusal stemmed from a deep-seated lack of trust in their company commanders regarding religious matters and the accurate representation of halachic (Jewish law) issues to the brigade rabbi. This incident follows a previous event where, according to the soldier, a false impression was presented to the brigade rabbi.

Fifteen soldiers from the battalion were sentenced to ten days in military prison for their refusal. Their comrades stated that this was the culmination of ongoing friction between company commanders and soldiers in the "Hesder" (religious Zionist) track, who feel their religious concerns are not being properly addressed. "We have no trust in the commanders regarding any halachic issue and the truthful representation to the rabbi," the soldier wrote, citing numerous instances where commanders allegedly did not follow directives.

One specific incident cited by the soldier occurred three weeks prior during a Saturday medical exercise. The soldier claims the exercise involved opening a vein and evacuating a simulated casualty, despite it not being an operational necessity. When questioned about violating Shabbat, the commander allegedly stated he had the rabbi's approval and that the exercise was operational. The soldiers' request to speak with the rabbi directly was denied. Later, the soldier asserts, the rabbi stated he had never authorized such an activity and had reprimanded the commander for it.

This background, the soldier explained, led to the soldiers' unwillingness to rely solely on their commanders' word when told the APC mission with the medic had rabbinical approval. The soldiers stated their hesitations were based on instructions from their yeshiva deans. The soldier emphasized that their refusal was not an evasion of duty or a compromise of operational effectiveness, highlighting their unit's achievements and casualties. They stated the refusal was due to a conflict with their values.

Further repercussions mentioned include a full lockdown on the department, cancellation of all leaves, and even postponed medical appointments. The soldier also claimed that the first three soldiers who refused were assigned kitchen duty, and that commanders asked each soldier to write a separate letter explaining their refusal, which was perceived as an attempt to exert individual pressure.