The IDF continues compelling soldiers who do not have authorization to sport a beard to shave, as reported by YWN-ISRAEL. This includes religious soldiers despite statements to the contrary from the IDF Spokesman Unit.

Among the public officials responding to the reports was MK (Yesh Atid) Elazar Stern, a former IDF major-general and Chief of Personnel Branch. Stern was told that in some cases, soldiers on erev Shabbos were not permitted to head home as they were told until such time they shave their beards they will not leave their base. He stated such incidents should never occur in the IDF.

Stern probed the reports and confirmed this did occur, citing the soldiers involved serve in the Engineering Corps. He explains that in some case, the soldiers are indeed religious and they have beards for years, stating “the beard is part of their identity”. However, the Engineering Corps commander is not interest and wants his soldiers clean shaven.

Nevertheless, Stern does not believe this is a war against Yiddishkheit but a serious error in the chain of command from the regulation to dealing with realities in the field, not acting responsibly and making one’s heading home contingent on shaving one’s beard”.

Stern stated he is well-aware there are those who are waiting for an error like this one to attack the IDF and accuse it of being anti-religious, which is simply not the case. He adds there is merit and logic to the regulation but if a commander in the field realizes a beard is a part of one’s identity then it would be better that the regulation did not exist.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)