In a first report by Ishay Fridman (Channel 14), rabbis from pre-military preparatory academies (mechinot) announced they are joining the leaders of hesder yeshivas in calling on their students not to serve in mixed-gender units, following the yeshivas' lead. This broadens the religious-Zionist protest against the IDF's integration of women into combat roles, including the Armored Corps.
Heads of 19 pre-military preparatory academies had joined the hesder yeshiva call on Monday, directing students not to serve in the Armored Corps if a pilot integrating women proceeds. Now, the mechina rabbis themselves have made a similar pronouncement, amplifying the pressure. The broadening protest, first reported by Channel 14 journalist Ishay Fridman, follows weeks of escalation: on June 10, a group of hesder yeshiva heads sent a letter to the IDF chief of staff opposing women in the Armored Corps, and Rabbi Yigal Levinstein called on recruits to avoid Sayeret Matkal over the same issue on June 10–11. The IDF has stated the pilot will follow joint-service regulations and has not yet reached the chief of staff for approval. The Union of Hesder Yeshivas has formally distanced itself from the letter, saying it maintains dialogue with the military to enable halakha-compliant enlistment.
2 developments
- StrongRabbi Yigal Levinstein Urges Candidates to Avoid Sayeret Matkal Over Gender Integration
- DevelopingIDF chief may reconsider ban on Hesder yeshiva students serving in armored corps
- DevelopingHesder yeshiva heads send letter to IDF chief opposing women in armored corps, report says
- DevelopingIDF tells hesder yeshivas: Pilot for women in Armored Corps will proceed per orders
Source and signal
- Internal intake