Chief Rabbi urges reversal of punishment for religious soldiers in female medic dispute

Israel's Chief Rabbi Kalman Meir Ber urged Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir on Wednesday to reconsider the punishment of religious soldiers who refused to board an armored vehicle with a female medic during a Gaza mission. At least seven soldiers from the Givati Brigade's Rotem Battalion were sent to military prison after disciplinary proceedings for refusing to board the Namer APC, citing Jewish law and prior service-condition understandings. Ber warned the handling could have broader consequences beyond those directly involved. Ber argued religious soldiers should have a meaningful voice on mixed-gender service, comparing it to existing IDF accommodations for kashrut and Shabbat. He expressed concern about effects on hesder yeshiva graduates and urged leaders to prevent soldiers from choosing between service and faith.