Officers slam author of letter on religious extremism in the IDF

Zamir's document described what he termed the Military Rabbinate's increasing influence at the expense of the Education Corps, as well as the harm being done to women's advancement in the army by the enforcement of strict rules of modesty demanded by the rabbis.

21/07/2011 10:16

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Former IDF Human Resources chief Avi Zamir Photo by: Tomer Appelbaum

Zamir's document was partially based on a study done for the chief of staff's adviser on women's issues, Brig. Gen. Gila Kalifi-Amir. The study found that women were being excluded from key positions in the army due to a strict interpretation of the "appropriate integration" order, which set rules to reduce interaction between strictly observant male soldiers and female soldiers.

Kalifi-Amir said implementing these restrictions has caused "untenable" situations and smacked of "extreme religious coercion."

Kalifi-Amir's criticism of "appropriate integration" sparked a major confrontation with IDF Chief Rabbi Brig. Gen. Rafi Peretz. Senior officers in the Military Rabbinate have tried to block Dr. Neri Horowitz, a civilian who did the research for Kalifi-Amir, from lecturing to soldiers.

Yisrael Weiss, a former

freedom of religion and conscience is under a growing threat,

IDF chief rabbi, expressed regret over Zamir's document, telling the religious radio station Radio Kol Hai that "during his tenure, Zamir knew how to sensitively resolve problems that came up. It's not proper to attack the system a minute after you leave."

Rabbi Uri Regev, the director of Hiddush, an organization to promote religious freedom and equality, demanded that Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz appoint an independent civilian body to examine the relationship between the army and religion.

"Zamir's warnings justify the establishment of a reliable and pluralistic civilian body to reevaluate this relationship, given a situation in which freedom of religion and conscience is under a growing threat," Regev wrote.

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