The Secular Forum has asked the head of the Personnel Branch of the Israel Defense Forces to request that secular soldiers not be required to participate in the IDF's tours of places where pre-New Year pentitential prayer services are held. In its request, the forum said the tours do not constitute a military activity, nor are they on the list of official state activities, beyond a right to freedom from religion.
The IDF responded, "This is an educational unit activity from which a soldier cannot be freed without the approval of his commanders. The soldiers are not obligated to say Selichot, but only to participate in the tour, and the saying of Selichot is only permitted [and not required -ed]."