IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir held a meeting on Tuesday with Rabbanim from Hesder yeshivos amid the controversy surrounding the integration of women into tank units.

During the meeting, Zamir made it clear that the IDF will continue advancing the expansion of women into combat positions. The Rabbanim warned that these policies will undermine the ability of religious soldiers to maintain halacha.

Zamir said, “As part of expanding the integration of women into key positions and combat roles—which is of enormous operational importance and which the IDF will continue to advance—the establishment of frameworks and the opening of positions will be carried out in full accordance with the Joint Service Ordinance during routine operations, emergencies, and wartime. These steps will be implemented in line with operational needs and professional standards, without compromise.”

The Rabbanim spoke to Zamir about the challenges faced by religious soldiers during their military service and emphasized the need for every religious soldier to be able to serve in the IDF in accordance with his beliefs and values, and in keeping with the principles of the Joint Service Ordinance.

Zamir’s statements and continued violations of the promises made to Dati Leumi soldiers raise troubling questions about the IDF’s declarations that it seeks to recruit Chareidim while preserving their religious way of life.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)