Equality NGO Forum Dvorah slams hesder yeshivot boycott over women's integration in tank units

Forum Dvorah, a non-governmental organization focused on women's inclusion in Israeli society, has strongly denounced a boycott of the IDF's Armored Corps by 25 hesder yeshivot. These institutions, which combine religious study with military service, are protesting an IDF pilot program designed to integrate women into the corps.

“

The IDF must not give in to threats of refusal and exclusion of women.

The NGO stated that the IDF must resist threats of refusal and exclusion, warning that capitulating to these demands would lead to an army characterized by segregation. The hesder yeshivot's objection stems from their religious-Zionist male students being banned from joining the Armored Corps. The IDF clarified that the current program is a pilot and involves women-only units, meaning men and women would not serve together in the same tank or unit.

“

Giving in to these extreme demands means creating an army with segregation.

Forum Dvorah criticized the move as an attempt to impose a "haredi service model" on the broader religious public, based on excluding women and adhering to specific sectoral dictates. The organization highlighted the worrying similarities to pressure tactics used by haredi leadership to evade military service. They asserted that this boycott constitutes a violation of equality, IDF values, and established court rulings.

“

This is an attempt to impose a haredi service model on the entire religious public based on the exclusion of women and sectoral dictates.

Furthermore, the NGO emphasized the severe security implications of excluding female soldiers, particularly during wartime when the IDF faces manpower shortages. Forum Dvorah pointed out that women already constitute over 20% of combat soldiers and their exclusion would significantly impair the military's effectiveness. They concluded by urging the IDF to uphold its values and stand firm against such threats, serving the entire state of Israel.

“

This is also a serious security violation in times of war and at a time when the IDF is suffering from a shortage of manpower. It is impossible to give up on female combat soldiers who have already proven their ability to contribute to operations.