More than 250 female IDF reserve officers have signed a sharply worded letter accusing Religious Zionist rabbis of undermining the military by opposing the integration of women into combat units.

The letter, signed by 257 reserve officers—including six brigadier generals, seven colonels, and 28 lieutenant colonels—was sent to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, and Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram.

The officers warned that “external pressure” is influencing military operational decisions and argued that recent public calls by prominent Religious Zionist rabbis against mixed-gender military service and women serving in combat roles threaten Israel’s security.

“Yielding to external pressure is security negligence and the dismantling of the people’s army from within,” the officers wrote. “We demand a rejection of the rabbis’ letters and the exclusion of women from the military, and we warn of harm to the state’s security. Stop this madness immediately.”

The letter comes amid growing tensions over women serving in combat positions. Several hesder yeshivos recently announced they would no longer direct students to the Armored Corps after the High Court ordered the IDF to begin a pilot program allowing female soldiers to serve in armored units by November, following repeated delays.

On Monday, Zamir met with Religious Zionist rabbanim, telling them that the military remains short thousands of combat soldiers and “needs every male and female soldier to fulfill its missions and consolidate the campaign’s achievements.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)