On Sunday last week, a dedicated conference was held at Camp Glilot for recruits of the new ultra-Orthodox brigade that the IDF is establishing - the 'Hashmonaim' Brigade, headed by the Commander of the Training and Education Command, Major General David Zini, the brigade's founder, Colonel Avinoam Emunah, and with the participation of the recruits' spouses.
As reported in Haredim 10, despite the IDF's statements that the brigade would maintain complete gender segregation, the reality at the conference was different: only a staircase separated the dozens of women who participated in the event from the men in the hall - in a clear departure from the practice among the Haredi public at public events where a partition is erected.
In the public relations campaign for the new 'Hashmonaim' brigade, the IDF is making every effort to present a 'strictly Orthodox brigade', one that will allow Haredi recruits to 'enter as Haredi and leave as Haredi.'.
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For example, the requirements that those designated for service in the Hasmoneans are required to sign include spiritual commitments, such as: "If I grow a beard or wig before enlistment, I will not shave/retain them for the duration of my service; I will wear Sabbath clothes during Shabbat prayers and meals as is customary in Haredi society, including a suit and hat; I will only use a monitored, filtered, and protected telephone; Torah study and obligatory prayers," and more.
However, a closer look at the 'application form for joining the Hasmonaean Brigade', which recruits are supposedly supposed to sign, turns on a red light and reveals the 'mines' planted along the way: The fighters from the brigade may serve with girls, and may even find themselves in a situation where they will be transferred to a secular, mixed unit for the duration of their military service.
What is it about? The army advertises 'Hasmonaim' as being intended only for "God-fearing Haredi" and that "its goal is to allow the Haredi fighter to serve in a framework that is compatible with his lifestyle and is careful to preserve his identity... Service in an environment that upholds Haredi lifestyles... You leave as you enter." Or in short, as the recruits for the brigade assure: "A Haredi enters, a Haredi leaves.".
But what is actually happening? Kol Brama's military correspondent Mandy Rizel revealed the "application form for joining the Hashmonaim Brigade and the commitment to act according to the established rules" - which recruits to the brigade will sign. Other media outlets also presented the form Rizel revealed as one that will be anchored in the General Staff orders.
The IDF claims that this is a leaked draft form and that "changes will be made to it." It is unclear what changes will be made to the form, and whether these will be only minor changes, but despite several requests to the IDF spokesperson, we were unable to obtain the form that the recruits will actually sign.
A look at the 'draft' form reveals the 'mines' that are placed in the path of the recruits: Did the soldier not comply with a provision of the established rules? He may find himself in another unit in the army. Which unit? According to IDF sources, he will return to the 'ultra-Orthodox Section' and from there be directed to another unit like "Netzah Yehuda and the like." This is in the hope that you trust the IDF that he will not be directed to a secular and mixed unit, after violating the rules in the 'Hasmonaim', and all this without being able to make any claims.
Because it is clearly written in the draft form: "I am aware that if I am dismissed and removed from the brigade, I may be transferred to another unit within the framework of Haredi service in the IDF or to any other unit in the army, without the right to appeal and without making any claims of any kind." Black and white.
Here are direct quotes from the form, which the recruit signs:
""I, the undersigned... undertake to conduct myself at all times during my service in the brigade, both within the military and outside it, according to the following rules: to maintain at all times a lifestyle that is customary in and appropriate to Haredi society; to maintain at all times purity of speech, without inappropriate speech... I will conduct myself at all times modestly according to the customary rules.".
The conscript also undertakes mandatory Torah study in public, mandatory three prayers in the Minyan, mandatory Haredi clothing even during Shabbat meals and on holidays, and more.
So far it sounds logical. But the 'mines' lie further down. In Article 10, the conscript undertakes:
""I am aware that strictly observing all of the above rules, in their letter, in their word, and in their spirit, is a prerequisite and absolute condition for service in the brigade, from the moment of enlistment until the moment of discharge.".
""I am aware that failure to comply with even one of the rules will constitute grounds for my expulsion from the division without the right of appeal. I declare by my signature that I have read the division's policy, understood it, and undertake to abide by it.".
""I know that if I am dismissed and removed from the brigade, I will have to serve a full term of service according to the law.
""I am aware that if I am dismissed and removed from the brigade, I may be transferred to another unit within the framework of Haredi service in the IDF or to any other unit in the army, without the right to appeal and without making any claims of any kind.".
The meaning: From the moment of signing, the IDF has a signed document on the recruit, because he agrees that he will also be transferred to a fully mixed unit, without the ability to make any claims and no right to appeal - and he will have to serve the full length of service according to the law.
How? Very simple: If you did not always ensure that your speech was clean, without inappropriate speech, and perhaps you were late for prayer in the minyan, or on leave from the army you went out to freshen up a bit on a walk in lighter clothing - the army can remove you from the Hasmonaean Brigade to any unit it chooses, including a mixed unit.
An ultra-Orthodox source, who served three years in a combat unit, tells Haredim 10: "Is it right to do this to people?! To promise them 'maintaining their Haredi identity,' but to stamp them out so that they can be sent to a mixed secular unit?! Can we accept such a thing? It's a trap!""
The same source adds: "There is another problem - while the recruit's obligations are detailed in detail, in strict legal terms, as we have seen, and any violation gives the army the option of transferring him to a mixed unit - the army's obligations towards him, to observe Shabbat, kosher, and the like, are mentioned in only one sentence! And that too in general, short, and non-binding terms.".
""And all this without mentioning the fact that in many cases the army did not fulfill its commitments to the ultra-Orthodox or religious, as evidenced by ultra-Orthodox and religious officers and soldiers, also publicly in the Knesset and in the media. Look at the outcry of the heads of Hesder yeshivahs, for many years, that the army does not fulfill its commitments to them, and their students are begging for the army.".
Acting under "operational constraints""
But all of this is just the beginning of the worst: the recruit, in essence, signs with his own hands an agreement to mixed service even while serving in the Haredi brigade.
Don't believe it? Well, right at the beginning of the document, the recruit is obliged to explicitly declare this.
Here is the quote from the draft 'Commitment Form': "I am aware that during my service in the 'Hasmonaim' Brigade, the army will provide me with service on the basis of complete gender separation, with the exception of operational constraints only.".
Simply put: the army is committed to providing service separately from girls - only if there are no "operational constraints.".
What are "operational constraints"? This is already a very general concept open to interpretation. It's not just about commando raids deep inside the enemy. Any normal guarding, handling equipment, or even a simple car ride could easily fall under such a definition.
The Haredi official explains: "Girls serve almost everywhere in the IDF, and they want to integrate them into more places, so it's impossible for a Haredi soldier not to encounter them. Many cases have been published of Haredi and religious soldiers who were forced to serve with female soldiers. It should be remembered that the Haredi brigade is operational. The army does not recruit soldiers to sit in the Beit Midrash. Therefore, being involved in night guard duty? That's an operational constraint!""
The source emphasizes: "I know the army. It's worth knowing - every soldier receives a new identity number the moment he enters the army, a military number, and now he has a new identity. You are in a different world. In basic training, they told us: 'Accept that you are now IDF property.' It's a system of coercion and absolute obedience to your superiors. The soldier is completely subject to the army's orders, and to the instructions of his commanders, and they are the orders of the Chief of Staff. Not to anyone else. His commanders order him what to do day and night.
""And another thing: no matter how much they promise that there will be a separate unit for the ultra-Orthodox, it will still be an inseparable part of the secular army, and the army operates under urgent constraints. I saw in my service how soldiers are suddenly taken from one unit, put in a vehicle and driven against their will to serve in a completely different place, because there is a need there.".
""So what will happen when Haredi soldiers are needed in a mixed location? No wonder Rabbi Eyal Karim, the IDF's chief rabbi, said at the conference establishing the brigade that 'in all issues that require passage on bases where there are girls, we will consult with the Haredi leadership.' Do you realize what our boys are signing up for?!""
The source adds and warns: "There is also an opening for personal blackmail here. The recruit to the brigade signs: 'I am aware that if a complaint is filed against me... on ethical issues, which are proven to be true... this will constitute grounds for my dismissal from the brigade without the right to appeal.' And then what might happen? Imagine a situation where an ultra-Orthodox soldier who truly cares would rightly complain that the army has violated its obligation, for example regarding food kosher or Sabbath observance. Ultra-Orthodox soldiers testified in the Knesset that such things happen frequently.
""In response to this, someone can search his registration file and find some rule he did not comply with 'at any time', 'both within the army and outside it,' 'in their letter, in their language, and in their spirit' - and the soldier will receive an immediate threat of removal to a mixed unit!
""This is a trap. Intentionally or unintentionally? I don't know, and I don't blame. But please be careful. Because you are being signed.".
