Israel to launch special combat unit for religious women who do not want to fight alongside men
Israel to launch special combat unit for religious women who do not want to fight alongside men
The special combat unit was launched to include religious women who would like to enlist in the Israeli army but have concerns about being in close proximity with men.
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All Israeli men and women are required to serve in the Israeli army for several years, many of them in mixed-gender units [AFP via Getty]
Israel will create a women-only combat unit to accommodate the needs of religious female soldiers who do not want to serve alongside men, Israeli media reported on Monday.
The unit will be created this coming March and will be established within an existing mixed-gender border defence unit.
It follows a request by religious school leaders, who say some of their students would like to do their military service but have concerns about being in close proximity with men.
Military service is mandatory for all Israelis, with men serving for a period of three years and women for around two years. However, many exemptions are granted to those who present religious objections, including for conservative women who refuse to serve alongside men.
Instead of enlisting in the army, these women typically choose to carry out their service in a civilian vocation. The Israeli army hopes to expand numbers in the army by opening a female-only unit. Similar military units have already been established for religious men.
Debates around mandatory military service have intensified in Israel over the past decade. Ultra-orthodox youth, who benefit from a de facto exemption to conscription on religious grounds, represent a growing share of the population.
Conscription also faces a growing backlash from liberal Israeli youth who refuse to take part in the military occupation of Palestinian land. In September, two Israelis were jailed for refusing conscription.
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