The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has been quietly revamping its policies in order to make the air force more friendly to LGBT soldiers.
According to Ynet, IAF manpower head Brigadier General Natan Yisraeli has been holding frequent meetings with LGBT soldiers in order to hear about their various needs and has promised to transform the corps to make it a more LGBT friendly environment.
The IAF has also established support groups for LGBT soldiers at its Tel Aviv headquarters and has held a series of meetings with prominent figures in the gay community in order for LGBT soldiers to get to know each other.
"We know how to provide unique solutions for transgender soldiers who serve in the IDF, without harming the rest of the staff or mission readiness," said a senior air force officer. "There are quite a few pilots who came out of the closet without difficulty, including combat ones."
The IAF has long been more liberal towards alternative lifestyles, including showcasing a same-sex family on Family Day in 2017 despite protests. Earlier this month, Agricultural Minister Uri Ariel blasted IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot over the IDF's "glorification" of LGBT values.
According to reports, Ariel was bothered by extensive interviews and TV reports highlighting homosexual soldiers and blamed the IDF's Spokesperson Unit for actively promoting alternative lifestyles. "Why is the IDF constantly promoting media reports about the integration of women, homosexuals and transgender people in the IDF?" Ariel had asked Eizenkot