The first Haredi-religious army reserve battalion reported for duty on Monday in Givat Ze'ev, next to Jerusalem.
The battalion was comprised of Netzach Yisrael ('Nachal Hareidi') soldiers, graduates of the 97th Kfir Brigade. The new reserve brigade is associated with the Menashe regional division and was established for the purpose of bolstering IDF operations in Judea and Samaria.
Their new battalion number – 941 – was taken from a dismantled Home Front Command battalion, and re-established for Netzach Yisrael.
A statement from the IDF Spokesman's office said: "This is a Hareidi-religious reserve unit belonging to the Judea and Samaria Division and comprised of soldiers who graduated from the Netzach Yisrael battalions, who have requested to continue to serve in the military reserves."
The Netzach Yehuda Battalion was established in 1999 as a joint project of the IDF, the Ministry of Defense, and an association of rabbis from the Hareidi religious community. The purpose of the establishment of the battalion was to assist with the integration of the ultra-Orthodox population into Israeli society. The program is geared to the needs of the very religious soldier: no women participate in the training or care of the unit, and the food is held to strict standards of kashrut.
Nachal Hareidi soldiers are initially drafted for three years of service – two years of combat service and one year of learning. In the first 24 month period, infantry fighter certification is earned, along with operational employment and training. The next 12 months consist of integrated studies, including completion of a degree or occupational training and community volunteering.
Netzach Yisrael soldiers have gained notoriety for their courage and commitment to the goals of the mission. Fighters take part in patrol missions, forward actions, ambushes, and the arrests of many wanted persons. The battalion took part in the Kfar Tubas mission and in additional operations which prevented serious terror attacks and resulted in the imprisonment of many wanted criminals.