In a Channel 14 broadcast, journalist Danna Weiss accused hesder yeshiva heads of being 'lascivious rabbis' who are 'putting women down' by opposing the integration of female combat soldiers into the Armored Corps. Broadcaster Yedidia Meir sharply replied, questioning whether Weiss included the heads of hesder yeshivot who sacrificed students in the war. The exchange highlights deepening public divisions over the integration policy.
The exchange aired on Channel 14 between journalist Danna Weiss and broadcaster Yedidia Meir reflects the ongoing public rift over integrating female combat soldiers into the IDF Armored Corps. Weiss accused opponents of the policy, including hesder yeshiva heads, of 'lascivious' motives. Meir, who lost a son during the current war, pushed back by invoking the sacrifice of yeshiva students. The controversy follows weeks of public and institutional debate. As The Zioneer reported on June 10, heads of hesder yeshivas sent a letter to the IDF Chief of Staff opposing the integration, expressing frustration that their concerns were being dismissed. A June 12 statement from the Union of Hesder Yeshivas said they remain in continuous dialogue with the IDF to enable religious soldiers to enlist in the Armored Corps in accordance with halakha. Naamat chair Hagit Pe'er also condemned a boycott of the corps by additional yeshiva heads, saying on June 11 that the rabbis are 'destroying the IDF.' Weiss and Meir's confrontation signals that the debate, already polarizing the religious-Zionist community, is now playing out in live broadcasts with no resolution in sight.
2 developments
- DevelopingHesder yeshiva heads send letter to IDF chief opposing women in armored corps, report says
- DevelopingNaamat chair slams hesder yeshiva heads 'destroying IDF' with Armored Corps boycott
- DevelopingOpinion video argues IDF armored corps gender integration weakens professionalism
- DevelopingFormer artillery chief: hesder yeshiva departures harmed Armored Corps and reserves
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