Rabbi Eliezer Simcha Weisz, a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council of Israel, has formally addressed the President of the Chief Rabbinate Council, Chief Rabbi Kalman Bar, following recent reports of severe disciplinary measures taken against hesder program soldiers serving in the Givati Brigade’s Rotem Battalion for refusing to travel in an armored personnel carrier (APC) with a female paramedic.
The soldiers said they refused to ride in the APC due to halakhic (Jewish legal) modesty concerns. As a result, the soldiers were handed strict penalties, including up to 21 days of confinement to base, with some sentenced to serve time in military prison.
In his letter, Rabbi Weisz highlighted the conflict created when soldiers dedicated to both national defense and religious observance are placed in situations forcing them to choose between operational orders and religious principles. Citing the biblical imperative, "and your camp shall be holy," he argued that it is unacceptable for outstanding combat soldiers to face harsh punishments for upholding halachic values.
Rabbi Weisz requested that the Chief Rabbinate Council examine the event in depth alongside military and religious authorities to establish clear guidelines to prevent similar occurrences.
He called on the Chief Rabbi to engage with the IDF leadership and the Military Rabbinate to review the penalties imposed on the soldiers, advocating for consideration given that their actions stemmed from religious commitment rather than military disregard.
Furthermore, he suggested issuing a formal statement of support for soldiers maintaining their religious lifestyle while serving on the front lines.