Noam Party chairman MK Avi Maoz presented three recent cases that demonstrate the IDF’s dismissive attitude toward soldiers who are makpid on halacha in a recent article published on Artuz Sheva.

Maoz wrote, “At a time when the main focus of the conscription issue is on the Chareidi public—whom people want to draft and need to draft, through dialogue and agreement—it is important to speak davka about a large public that already serves in the IDF, commonly referred to as the ‘Chardal’ public—an acronym for Chareidi Dati Leumi.”

“First incident: an infantry soldier recounted that after eight exhausting and tense months in Gaza, the unit was treated to three days in a hotel—a mandatory vacation, with no choice not to attend. The hotel included a swimming pool, but how many hours were allocated for separate swimming for religious soldiers? Zero. Such ‘respect’ for combat soldiers who, by virtue of their faith, fought in Gaza—only to have that faith trampled on when they leave.”

“Second incident: at a ceremony last week marking 50 years since the establishment of the Paratroopers ‘Shu’alei Marom’ Brigade—attended by hundreds of soldiers, commanders, and family members.  The production was impressive, but the ceremony featured a military band with male and female singers. And the religious attendees who are makpid on halacha and don’t wish to listen? ‘That’s their problem.’ As one of the soldiers’ wives put it, ‘When we fight shoulder to shoulder, we are equal, but at the brigade ceremony we’re pushed out. Thank you, Brigade 646, for the humiliation.'”

“Third incident: The IDF’s Manpower Directorate invited thousands of soldiers to a Selichot event at Sultan’s Pool, including a detailed list of the singers. In practice, in front of all those thousands—including many religious soldiers—a band of female soldiers went on stage and began to sing.”

“These are just a few examples out of dozens, if not more. The army must restore the trust of the serving public, the trust that it is truly possible to serve without harming one’s faith and worldview. Whoever truly wants to recruit Chareidim doesn’t trample on the faith and shemiras hamitzvos of his soldiers and commanders; whoever truly wants to draft Chareidim does not repeatedly violate the conditions promised to Chareidi recruits in the various frameworks established in the past; whoever truly wants to draft Chareidim anchors the conditions that will ensure that a Chareidi who enlists will also be discharged as a Chareidi.”

“Unfortunately, my conclusion from the failure to anchor the service conditions of Chareidim in IDF orders is that the army is still intent on passing Chareidim through the IDF melting pot and re-educating them,” Maoz concluded.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)