The procedures for writing the unique Chief of Staff directive for members of the ultra-Orthodox public in the IDF, serving in designated service tracks, have been completed. The directive was written in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, signed by the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, and presented to the Minister of Defense, Benny Gantz.
The purpose of the directive is to establish instructions regarding the service of members of the ultra-Orthodox public in the IDF. This is in consideration of the nature and essence of military service, while recognizing the unique character of the ultra-Orthodox population.
The directive was written with the aspiration to enable ultra-Orthodox soldiers to maintain their faith and live their lives as they wish in the various designated tracks available throughout the IDF.
The directive regulates a series of accommodations for soldiers in the designated service tracks for members of the ultra-Orthodox public in adapted gender-segregated frameworks, and establishes rules regarding command, social activities, educational content, and the like.
The assimilation and implementation process has begun and will continue in the coming weeks, including based on additional specific guidelines, which will soon be issued as a standing order by the Manpower Directorate. The IDF will continue to be prepared and ready for the absorption of members of the ultra-Orthodox public within its ranks, drawing lessons and learning.
The directive includes three service tracks that allow every ultra-Orthodox soldier to serve in an adapted manner. The diversity of tracks will enable the ultra-Orthodox population, in all its strata, to serve in the IDF as ultra-Orthodox individuals while maintaining their way of life.
The tracks are:
“Magen” (Shield) Track – In this track, soldiers are assigned to gender-segregated teams.
“Herev” (Sword) Track – In this track, the entire framework is gender-segregated (e.g., a battalion). The combat commanders in this track will generally be soldiers who maintain an ultra-Orthodox or religious lifestyle (except in exceptional cases with special approval).
“Dud” (Cauldron) Track – In this track, all personnel serving in the unit maintain a religious lifestyle. Units in this track will be approved individually by the Head of the Manpower Directorate.
In accordance with the directive, an advisor to the Chief of Staff for Haredi Affairs has been appointed. His role will be to advise and supervise the service conditions for members of the ultra-Orthodox public, in coordination with all military bodies – commanders, Manpower Directorate, Military Rabbinate, and the like, and to serve as a point of contact for the ultra-Orthodox public regarding military service. The remaining roles of the advisor will be finalized in a staff work in the coming weeks.
The directive details additional rights to which soldiers in the Haredi tracks are entitled, such as: prayer times, strict kosher supervision, a declaration of allegiance to the army as a substitute for an oath, and more. These rights are also currently enshrined in other directives, but have been included in this directive in addition, given their importance for the population.
For the full directive on the Directives website, click here.
*The directive applies to ultra-Orthodox recruits who enlisted in the designated tracks. Members of the ultra-Orthodox public who choose a track not defined as a designated service track will serve according to the joint service directive, and the new directive does not apply to them.
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