Brigadier General Avinoam Emunah, 38 years old, wears a kippah, is married and has five children. He took up his new position as commander of the Golan Heights Division last July.
Emunah is considered a promising and respected officer. For his performance as commander of the 101st Paratroopers Battalion during Operation Protective Edge, he was awarded the Commander's Medal.
The new commander was asked to select a new representative of the IDF Spokesperson to serve under him in the brigade.
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Among the suitable candidates for assignment at the time were female soldiers, but Emunah explained that he was more comfortable serving with a man by his side.
Following his request, a soldier was appointed as the brigade's spokesman.
This fact angered Haaretz journalist Uri Misgav, who became obsessed with everything he saw as "religion" - and he attacked the officer for his decision to prefer a male soldier over a female soldier.
'"'This is a religiousization of everything - quiet, gray, creeping. Many times, that's exactly how it works,' Misgav wrote. ''The IDF needs to decide: If it is determined to remain the people's army, where joint service and gender equality are practiced - it must be careful to be as gentle as it is severe. Even if this involves putting religious commanders in their place, however heroic they may be.''.
The IDF Spokesperson's Office responded: "In the IDF Spokesperson's Office, both men and women serve in the positions of brigade spokespersons. Their assignment is determined based solely on substantive and professional considerations. In the last round of assignments, both men and women were assigned to the position based on their professional suitability for the position.".
