IDF Chief: Female Integration Into Armored Corps Will Not Compromise Orthodox Service
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir addressed ongoing domestic friction surrounding military service, assuring that the implementation of a pilot program integrating women into Armored Corps tank units will not come at the expense of any specific demographic or community.
The statement follows a joint declaration by the Roshei Yeshivos of more than two dozen Hesder yeshivas (pre military Yeshiva), who threatened to instruct their students to bypass or refuse service in the Armored Corps if the military moved forward with plans to establish co-ed tank crews.
Speaking at a conference, Zamir emphasized that the IDF remains the “people’s army” and prioritizes the integration of all segments of Israeli society into combat roles. He stressed that the integration process is being designed with operational and cultural safeguards to ensure that religious soldiers can continue to serve alongside other units without compromising their lifestyle or religious principles.
