IDF Says Haredi Base Cannot Deny Women
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Days after ultra-Orthodox troops barred a female Border Police member from entering their dining hall for dinner, Israel Defense Forces officials insist that the Haredi Netzah Yehuda Battalion’s base is not off limits to women.
The incident occurred last week, when a Border Police unit, comprising several male members and one female member, completed an operation in the West Bank and arrived for dinner at the army base at Mevo Dotan. When the female member of the unit was denied entry by ultra-Orthodox soldiers manning the post, her male comrades decided to remain outside with her.
This is the second instance in which women have been denied access to the base, violating orders and army protocol.
IDF officials have emphasized in recent days that while Netzah Yehuda, which is more commonly known as the Nahal Haredi, is a male-only battalion, there is nothing in the rules that prohibits female soldiers and officers from entering their base.
Read more at Haaretz.com.
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