Haredi soldiers refused to approve entry of a female officer into the base courtyard because she is a woman; IDF admits: "This is a malfunction"

Haredi fighters of the Hasmonean Brigade refused to approve the entry of a logistics officer to the Hermon outpost for the purpose of renovating fuel tanks, on the grounds that she is a woman. The IDF admitted that this was a malfunction and mentioned the General Staff order permitting professional functionaries, men and women, to enter Haredi camps for the purpose of their role. Moran Zer Katzenstein responded sharply.

Haredi fighters of the Hasmonean Brigade refused to approve the entry of a logistics officer into the Hermon outpost, on the grounds that she is a woman. The officer arrived as part of an extensive project to renovate the fuel tanks at the outpost, meant to supply electricity and hot water to hundreds of fighters in the winter. While the contractor employees who accompanied her were allowed to enter, she was told she would not be able to enter even the area outside the outpost. The IDF mentioned the General Staff order for the integration of Haredim, which determines that there is no blanket prohibition on the entry of professional functionaries, men and women, into camps where Haredi fighters serve, for the purpose of carrying out their role. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit clarified that this was a malfunction, and that her entry should have been enabled while creating the required conditions. Moran Zer Katzenstein, the Democrats' candidate, attacked sharply: "This is not halakha, this is extremism and harm to security," and warned that if the phenomenon is not stopped, within 4 years women will not serve in the army. The article also mentions a similar incident from August 2025, in which 17 Givati fighters refused to board a Namer with a female paramedic in Gaza, were tried and sent to the military prison.

Haredi soldiers refused to approve entry of a female officer into the base courtyard because she is a woman; IDF admits: "This is a malfunction"