"No military ceremonies which will not incorporate women"

Col. Orna Barbibay, head of the IDF Manpower Directorate, said in an interview with Rina Matzliah in the program 'Meet the Press' recorded before Shabbos, that the military is prepared to rrecruit Haredim at the moment the Knesset will decide so.

"The recruit will cost the state, and it's a price worth paying. The army should accept a mass of haredi soldiers, from the perception of 'the people's army', we do not want to give up on the potential for such recruitment. We are now in a transition period before the new law. Last year we recruited 1400 Haredim, and the Perry Outline also talks about a volunteering outline in the next four years which will grow in the coming years.

"Already we have started sending drafts to Haredim but we will not start enforcing the recruit before the law enables us to it. We will not enforce recruit before legislation of the Knesset, but as soon as the law would require us to recruit a Haredi as anyone else - the law will be enforced on everyone equally. Integration of Haredim who serve in today's military is exceptional and there is willingness to incorporate them in all positions."

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"We plan to double the amount of Haredim in the army in 4 years, but it will not come at the expense of women. It is our interest to ensure that the women's service in the army, and the expansion of women's service in recent years has proved itself. 92% of military occupations are open to women including many combat roles. The positioning of women against Haredim is artificial, the army knew to accommodate the different and not to harm women alongside the needs of Haredim. There will not be military ceremonies in which women will not be incorporated. "

Regarding recent attacks of Haredi soldiers in Haredi neighborhoods, the Colonel said: "The attacks on Haredi soldiers are very serious. Those who raise their hand against one who wears a uniform is reprehensible, and we need to do more enforcement and harsher advocacy towards Haredim who attack soldiers and against non-Haredim who attack Haredim."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!