Soldiers against IDF : "this trend will burden the existence of Halacha in the IDF"

A new association designed to help Religious soldiers launched a complaint against the IDF: "There is a change in policy towards Jewish law where soldiers are being forced to shave, listen to inappropriate lectures, visit churches and more.

A new association designed to help Frum soldiers,"Tzav 1", has been established recently, inviting Religious soldiers to share the difficulties that the IDF has caused towards their religious traditions.

A post published on social media says: "Were your religious traditions challenged in the army? have you Contact military officials and hadn't received an adequate response? Share your story and we will try to help and assist you. Your personal information will remain private and will not be used without your prior knowledge".

Founders explain that the aim is to allow every soldier to keep his Masores in the army. "According to IDF orders, a Frum soldier needs to receive the full support of his superiors as well as specific Approval for certain Mitzvos. The goal is to listen to the soldiers, understand the problems that exist today regarding Frum soldiers and to find solutions.

Furthermore, they add, "We wish to know that the army can be trusted on this matter but in recent years we have seen hundreds of cases (documented) where soldiers were forced to act not in accordance with their conscience and were not aware of their rights."

"The changes in the IDF recent years has often led to conflicts that did not exist in the past and it seems at times that the lack of attention caused numerous malfunctions. " Tzav Echad" aims to handle only cases failed to be solved within the army."

What led to the establishment of the organization is that dozens of cases of secular coercion in the IDF had been revealed. "Unfortunately, we have hundreds of documented cases of denial of rights of the soldiers or improper attitude to religious values, such as shortage of Tefillin, non-kosher food, orders to shave beards etc. We believe that majority of these incidents occur from misunderstanding rather than malicious behavior and most complaints are resolved by transferring the cases to the relevant figures. "

The organization also said that in recent years there is a change in relation to Halacha by the Israeli army. It's a legitimate expectation that a soldier gets to keep his Jewish way of life, without having to demand it.

"The media recently observed several instances where religious soldiers were ordered to act in ways that are abusive to their Jewish tradition. Addressing the issues to Chaplains, orders and instructions remained".
The organization also specifies cases in which senior officers harassed Frum soldiers.

"The argument to ban Hchnasas Sifrei Torah ceremony is extremely puzzling. IDF spokesperson explained that the sounds can be offensive to the military in the public area. Clearly, this argument conceals other reasons. How is it that the streets of Bat Yam or Tel Aviv allow these ceremonies, while the army won't allow it? Who does it hurt? Would it block the traffic at the base? Does the music disturb rest of Administrative Officers? These harassing rules are designed to belittle the Frum soldiers."

The IDF Spokesman's response; "IDF rejects any attempt of political involvement while "pretending" to help the soldiers. The IDF will continue to be a melting pot for all sectors of Israeli society and to protect the State of Israel. We regret that individuals chose to make false accusations. Tensions in the military service or complaints of any kind will be dealt with only by military commanders and without fear. The IDF won't allow political involvement whatsoever in order to maintain IDF's national values. "

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!