IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi confronted the rabbis of pre-army preparatory academies (mechinot) Sunday and warned them that there is only one commander in chief.

The mechinot, which include both religious and nonreligious academies, met with the Chief of Staff in Tel Aviv. One rabbi of a leading religious mechina warned against plans by the IDF to combine men and women in all combat units. Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi replied, "What exactly is the question? There is only one commander in chief in the IDF."