The Israel Defense Forces has ordered soldiers not to participate in Sunday's demonstrations by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community against last week's Knesset vote not to include them in eligibilty for surrogate parenthood.
A statement sent to IDF commanders said, "Since the background to the demonstration is ostensibly political, it is forbidden to participate in this demonstration, please instruct your people." At the same time, the army decided not to take disciplinary action against soldiers who participated in the protest.