JERUSALEM (VINnews) — In a dramatic move which will have repercussions on the IDF’s recruitment procedures, twelve prominent Roshei Yeshiva of Hesder yeshivot have issued a joint statement declaring that they will prohibit their students from enlisting in the IDF Armored Corps.

The move comes in response to the IDF’s decision to advance a pilot program integrating female combat soldiers into tank crews, which is expected to begin with the November draft cycle.

In their letter, the rabbis expressed deep pain and anger over what they described as a weak response by the State of Israel and the IDF, which they say did not oppose a court decision requiring the integration of women into the Armored Corps.

The rabbis emphasized that the sanctity of the military camp is a fundamental component of the IDF’s spirit and its success in defeating enemies on the battlefield. They argued that placing female soldiers in tanks together with male soldiers harms both the spiritual environment and the practical operational effectiveness of the force.

According to the rabbis, service in the Armored Corps under such conditions is prohibited by Jewish law (halacha), and they are therefore instructing their students not to enlist in the corps.

They clarified that their students will continue to enlist in other combat units and stressed that the IDF should create combat frameworks and service tracks that are compatible with the requirements of halacha for yeshiva students.

The letter was signed by:

• David Fendel, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Sderot
• Hagai Lundin and Tal Shaulian, Roshei Yeshiva of the Hesder Yeshiva in Holon
• Elyakim Levanon and Shahar Imber, Roshei Yeshiva of the Hesder Yeshiva in Alon Moreh
• Baruch Weider, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Hakotel
• Yehoshua Van Dyke, Rosh Yeshiva of the Hesder Yeshiva in Itamar
• Noam Waldman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Nir
• Yossi Rodriguez, Rosh Yeshiva of the Hesder Yeshiva in Eilat
• Eliyahu Rahamim Zini, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Or VeYeshua
• Yaakov Yedid, Rosh Yeshiva of the Hesder Yeshiva in Karmiel