Shas leader Arye Deri claims IDF prefers secular army, haredi soldiers are 'a big headache'

At least 16 soldiers from the Givati Brigade’s Rotem Battalion were sent to military prison after refusing to enter an armored personnel carrier in Gaza with a female paramedic during an operation. The soldiers claimed the cramped conditions within the Namer vehicle violated the IDF’s Joint Service Order and agreements with religious-Zionist yeshivot. The mission was ultimately canceled due to the refusal, and the soldiers faced disciplinary action. Five of them received 10-day sentences, while 11 others were given five-day sentences. Two of the soldiers who led the disobedience will undergo a review process before being allowed back into combat roles. The incident occurred during an operation in Gaza, where the soldiers were part of a larger military task. The refusal to enter the APC stemmed from religious concerns regarding men and women being in close proximity in confined spaces. The soldiers, who are not ultra-Orthodox but belong to the hesder yeshiva system, cited halachic reasons for their stance. Initially, they attempted to contact their brigade’s rabbi, but no response was received. They then sought guidance from rabbis affiliated with their hesder yeshivot, who advised against entering the vehicle under these conditions. Despite this, the brigade rabbi later ruled that the mission was permissible due to its operational significance and limited duration. However, the soldiers continued to refuse, leading to the cancellation of the mission and subsequent punishment. The IDF has long recognized the need to balance religious accommodations with operational requirements. The Joint Service Order allows religious soldiers to serve in gender-segregated frameworks during operational activities, except in exceptional circumstances. This policy reflects the army’s acknowledgment that religious observance is integral to the identity of many soldiers, particularly those from religious-Zionist backgrounds. Nevertheless, the recent incident highlights tensions between individual religious convictions and the broader imperative of maintaining unity and effectiveness in the field. Commanders are tasked with ensuring that operational missions proceed smoothly while respecting the religious sensitivities of their troops. In this case, the battalion commander determined that the soldiers' actions constituted disobedience and imposed penalties accordingly. The IDF has emphasized the importance of clear rules and a defined command structure to prevent conflicts arising from divergent interpretations of religious law. The army has also stressed the necessity of resolving such disputes internally, rather than allowing external rabbinical authorities to influence battlefield decisions. The situation underscores the challenges posed by integrating diverse groups within the military. With increasing numbers of religious soldiers joining the ranks, the IDF faces the dual challenge of accommodating religious practices while maintaining operational cohesion. The integration of women into combat roles further complicates this dynamic, requiring careful navigation of gender-related issues. Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir has called for the army to ensure that integration occurs without compromising either side’s interests. The incident also echoes experiences from the October 7 attack, during which religious soldiers demonstrated willingness to serve alongside women in high-stakes scenarios. Female tank crews operated alongside male counterparts, and combat medics, both male and female, treated wounded soldiers under fire. These instances illustrate that religious observance and mixed-gender service can coexist under extreme conditions. Yet, the current case suggests that even in less dire situations, unresolved tensions can lead to operational disruptions and disciplinary consequences.