The commander of the ultra-Orthodox Hasmonean Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Avinoam Emuna, will end his position next month - and will likely retire from the IDF.
In the past year, he led the establishment of the Hasmonean Brigade, the first regular Haredi brigade, and succeeded in establishing a military framework within it that combines maintaining an ultra-Orthodox lifestyle, alongside significant combat service.
Military correspondent Yossi Yehoshua wrote on his X account that this is a surprising decision given Emunah's command background and the achievements he has accumulated throughout his service: "The army showed him the door out. Emunah is an outstanding, decorated officer and a brave fighter, who previously commanded the 101st Battalion in Operation Protective Edge and the Magellan Unit.
""Above all, he managed to establish the Haredi Brigade and gain the trust of the rabbis, parents, and fighters.
""He is Haredi and in the past his beard bothered several officers. The fact that such an officer is not promoted to the position of division commander and goes home does not contribute to the trust between the IDF and Haredi society and is also a great loss for the army.".
In April 2023, Emunah's name made headlines following a meeting he held with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, regarding his possible candidacy to command the National Guard.
The meeting took place without the knowledge of his commanders and without permission, and as a result, he was reprimanded by his commander.
MK Yitzhak Kreuzer responded: "This is not how you recruit Haredim. This is how you damage the trust built with Haredi society, and a completely opposite message is conveyed regarding the army's commitment to integrating Haredim into its ranks.".
""Colonel Emuna, one of the founders of the Hasmonaean Brigade, is a brave fighter and a visionary who dedicated years to building the bridge between the IDF and the Haredi public. Instead of strengthening his work and establishing the path he paved, a decision is being made that distances precisely those who have led true success in the field. This is a wrong step that is harmful to the future of cooperation. I hope the Chief of Staff will come to his senses and cancel this decision.".
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