In one way women are making huge progress with their role in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). The IDF announced in October that the IDF stated. That it was studying possibilities of permitting women as combat officers. In new positions for example, in tanks crews.
The same month, Major Reut (whose name cannot disclosed due to security reasons) became lieutenant colonel. And appointed commanding officer of the Sky Rider battalion. Becoming the second Israeli woman to named the commander of a combat group. Prior to her, there Major Oshrat Bachar who appointed in 2014.
This kind of news could create the impression that the IDF is constantly moving. Even if it is a little slow toward a goal that is definitively gender equality. However, the reality is a lot more complex.
The idea of providing longer combat roles for women has triggered a number of angry responses. The former head of the Ground Forces Command, Major General Yiftah Ron-Tal. Described the plan being scandalous and led by someone wishing to weaken the IDF. Former decorated general and ex-member of the parliament, Avigdor Kahalani. Stated that women’s role is at home and warned that horrors of war might affect women’s capacity to become mothers.
Others came from the sphere of religion. The former IDF head rabbi Israel Weiss stated. We cannot place two soldiers, a male soldier and female soldier in the same container for one week. And assume that nothing happens. You’ll be getting a tank soldier after 9 months.
A Controversial Rabbi Defense
In addition To make matters worse, simultaneously IDF officials IDF announced. The elevation to Rabbi Col. Eyal Karim into the post of chief rabbi. This is the most important religious position within the IDF. This announcement met with protests from feminist and human rights groups due to Karim’s controversial past statements.
Karim quoted in 2012 that rape during wartime could justified, if there consideration for the soldiers’ difficulties while fighting. Karim also stated that it entirely forbidden for women to join the army to protect their modesty. He also has argued against women singing in army functions.
The Israeli High Court of Justice, in response to a petition filed through Meretz (a left-wing political party) has delayed the appointment of Karim by requesting an affidavit that clarifies his remarks from the past. The petition eventually withdrawn, after Karim published a letter of clarification which reads:
I’ve made a mistake Sometimes I didn’t phrase my comments exactly and there have people who have been affected because of my comments I would like to sincerely apologize.
The President of Israel’s Supreme Court, Justice Miriam Naor who ruled in favor of Karim’s nomination, noted. It is a shame that the clear words of the respondent in his affidavit did not receive expression earlier but better late than never.
Conscription And Women, As Well As Conscription
It believed that the IDF the very first military worldwide to institute compulsory military service for females and males. Conscription established by the Israeli Defense Service Law of 1949, which expresses the view by Israel’s IDF to the army of the people.
Although debates on where women are able to serve in the military common, Israel always taken pleasure in the function women have given in military organizations, involuntarily, long before the founding in the nation of Israel.
Being a part of the IDF typically regarded not only an obligation under the law, but also, and possibly primarily as a social norm. It a largely accepted, honorable rite of passage within Israeli society. Even though this consensus has weakened over the past decade however, the public debates on the nature of women’s roles within the IDF don’t challenge in the general public discourse, the fundamental concept of women’s conscription.
Zones Reserved For Men Defense
As the debate continues to rage over the role women supposed to take on in the army Another important event looming over the scene. In 2000 amending the Military Service Law determined that women entitled to take on any role in the military.
As per the law, women may barred from a specific job in the military only if that exclusion required by the particular nature of the position. However, religious requirements for the creation of a non-women military environment can result in the exclusion of women from specific military tracks and positions, even if such exclusion not necessary due to what required of the work.
The fear heightened due to an order by the chief of general staff Gadi Eisenkot, which granted believers the option to refrain from carrying out military work with women.
Integration Order Defense
It was an revision to the order of 2003, known as appropriate integration order, that guaranteed the rights of soldiers who are religious to an environment in the army which is in harmony with their religious beliefs and, in particular, the need to keep away from females under circumstances of seclusion or immodesty.
In addition, the fact that the Israeli government as well as the IDF remain committed to continuous efforts to improve the participation in the army of Haredi (Jewish Ultra Orthodox) men in the army, makes matters more complicated further. The prerequisite for this participation is more often than not a male-only unit.
To increase the number of youth who are religious in their participation in the army and enlistment. The IDF has created the concept of a female-free. Defined area for males who are religious throughout the whole process of recruiting and signing up. As a result of requests from Haredi leaders, a brand new military camp will constructed. For the soldiers with a strict interpretation of Jewish rules will adhered. To and that includes the complete omission of females.