The Israel Air Force produced a video demonstrating women can be pilots and be assigned to many other posts, contrary to what some believe. The video was uploaded to the IAF Facebook page. Not long after it was uploaded, Rabbonim from the Dati Leumi community complained to the IDF Spokesman’s Unit. The video was soon removed as a result.

It was explained the film was not an official production of the IDF Spokesman, but rather the work of the IAF. A short time later, it was discovered that the film had been taken down.

The removal of the video has led to controversy among members of the more liberal dati leumi community, who support women enlisting in the IDF and serving as combatants.

However, two rabbonim who were among those pleased with the decision sent a letter to the IDF acknowledging the receptive response. Rabbi Amichai Gordon of Yeshivat Har Etzion in Gush Etzion and Rabbi Chaim Navon who teaches in Medreshet Lindenbaum sent their letter to Brigadier-General Ronen Menless.

They explain, “We did not see the famous video uploaded by the Israeli Air Force to Facebook, but because we saw that it aroused strong controversy, we would like to express appreciation for your decision to remove it.”

The two rabbis were at the dialogue meetings between the religious Zionist rabbonim and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gadi Eizenkott, the head of the Personnel Directorate and the IDF Spokesperson last year, and the letter came against the backdrop of the IDF’s attempts to lower the flames and reach understandings with the dati leumi rabbonim.

The rabbis also wrote: “We, the citizens, will continue to argue with each other, but it is important that the IDF remain outside the disagreements.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)