The leadership of the Association of Hesder Yeshivas has issued a formal letter to heads of Hesder institutions across Israel, reiterating its opposition to mixed-gender combat service and clarifying its position regarding the enlistment of Hesder students into the IDF’s Armored Corps.

In the letter, members of the association’s council explained that following the Supreme Court’s ruling on the issue, they have been actively engaged in efforts aimed at preventing situations in which female combat soldiers serve alongside male soldiers committed to observing halacha.

The council said these initiatives have been coordinated with a broad spectrum of rabbinic leaders from the religious Zionist community, including roshei yeshiva of advanced Torah institutions and rabbanim who lead pre-military academies representing various segments of the national-religious public.

They noted that numerous discussions have been held in recent weeks, during which they consistently conveyed their belief that men and women serving together in frontline maneuvering combat units is incompatible with the religious commitments of soldiers who adhere to halacha.

Council members also stated that they remain in ongoing communication with senior IDF officials in an effort to create a framework that would allow observant soldiers to serve in the Armored Corps while maintaining their religious standards.

“We will make every effort to enable the enlistment of our students into the Armored Corps in the upcoming draft without harming their values,” they wrote.

The rabbis further sought to distance themselves from reports circulated in recent days, stressing that a letter publicized in the media concerning enlistment to the Armored Corps did not originate from the council and does not reflect its official position.

“The letter that appeared in the media in recent days regarding enlistment to the Armored Corps is not a letter from the council,” adding that the publication of such a letter contradicts their position.

The statement bore the signatures of the roshei yeshiva who serve on the Council of the Association of Hesder Yeshivas.

{Matzav.com}