More hesder yeshiva heads have joined a growing protest against the IDF’s planned pilot program for female soldiers in the maneuvering Armored Tank Corps, after rabbis said they would not send Talmidim to serve in tanks with women.

Hesder yeshivas combine several years of learning in Yeshiva in addition to IDF service, many of whom serve in combat units. Today, 11 additional hesder yeshiva heads and two unnamed rabbis have now joined a letter saying their talmidim will not to enlist in the Armored Corps if the pilot advances.

The original letter was sent Monday by several hesder Roshei Yeshiva, following an Israeli Supreme Court ruling requiring the IDF to open a pilot program for women in the maneuvering Armored Corps. The rabbis argued that such service would violate halacha and harm both the army’s religious character and its combat effectiveness.

“The IDF is the army of Bnei Yisrael, and the Kedusha of the camp is the foundation of the IDF’s spirit and of success in defeating the enemy. Placing female soldiers in tanks together with male soldiers causes spiritual and practical harm to combat capability,” the letter said.

The rebbeim said the decision came after serious consideration and declared that they would no longer send their students to serve in the Armored Corps beginning with the next draft cycle. The move is significant because hesder yeshivas are a major religious-Zionist pipeline into IDF combat service.

The IDF responded by saying the court did not order a broad integration of women into the corps, but only a pilot. The army also said men and women would not serve together in the same company or platoon, and that the matter has not yet reached the chief of staff for final discussion and approval.