JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Dozens of  roshei yeshiva, rabbis, and educators in Religious Zionist institutions convened this week for an emergency discussion in the wake of the IDF’s intended promotion of a pilot program integrating women into the Armored Corps’ maneuvering units.

Among the participants were Rabbi Hanan’el Etrog, head of Yeshivat Shavei Hevron; Rabbi Rafi Peretz, head of the Atzmona pre-military academy; Rabbi Kobi Dvir of Yeshivat Mitzpe Ramon; Rabbi David Fendel, head of Yeshivat Sderot; Rabbi Yehoshua Van Dyke, head of Yeshivat Itamar; and senior teachers from the yeshivot of Mitzpe Ramon, Dimona, Sderot, Nof HaGalil, Kiryat Shmona, and the Keshet academy.

During the meeting, testimonies were presented from religious soldiers in the Engineering Corps who fought in Gaza. They claimed that female paramedics and combat soldiers were assigned to remain with them for extended periods in crowded armored personnel carriers and buildings, contrary to the Joint Service Ordinance. The rabbis warned of halachic difficulties, harm to motivation, and even damage to combat performance.

“The army violated its own orders,” charged Rabbi Dror Aryeh of Yeshivat Sderot. “We are in the period following a round of fighting. Right now, the struggle must be to roll back norms that were introduced into the system under claims of emergency and saving lives. Thousands of halachically observant soldiers remained silent and cooperated after the fact during combat, but we must not institutionalize these violations for the future.”

Other representatives noted that a similar process had previously occurred in the Artillery Corps, where “a norm of mixed-gender service was introduced,” which they say effectively pushed yeshiva students out of the corps. In one testimony, a rabbi-teacher serving in artillery described issues of immodest dress and shared spaces in a command APC, which he said led to professional and operational issues.

Participants also discussed a shift in the mindset of religious youth enlisting in the IDF. According to them, soldiers who served in armor, infantry, artillery, and other corps have produced a new generation of recruits who are aware of the centrality of their contribution to the army and the spiritual values they bring with them.

Rabbi David Fendel warned that if the move continues, students may “vote with their feet” and avoid enlisting in the Armored Corps. He called for an urgent letter from yeshiva rabbis to the defense establishment demanding that the move be halted, which he described as being perceived as a serious blow to the IDF.

Attorney Tzafnat Nordman presented a professional overview to the rabbis, according to which similar pilot programs in units such as 669, Sayeret Matkal, and mobility units ended in professional and medical failure. According to the assessment presented at the meeting, senior command is aware of these findings, but the IDF Spokesperson presents them to the public as a success due to political and legal pressure from women’s organizations.

Nordman added that the Chief Armored Officer, Brig. Gen. Ohad Maor, is now facing a strategic decision ahead of another pilot program in tanks planned for this coming November. She emphasized the need for rabbis and students to make their voices heard in the face of external pressure and petitions to the High Court.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants called for the establishment of a broad public action and monitoring headquarters bringing together hesder yeshiva students,  yeshivot Gevohot, pre-military academies, and reservists. According to the call, this body would collate information on trends and incidents, expose external pressure factors, support soldiers in the field, and work with decision-makers in the IDF.