The Battle for Camp Sanctity: Dozens of Rabbis Against the 'Yohalam Rule'

Dozens of heads of yeshivas and pre-military academies from the Religious Zionist movement formulated a position paper calling to halt the trend of mixed-gender service in the IDF. The document was drafted at the 'Strong as a Leopard' conference in Jerusalem, attended by about 1,300 students. The rabbis call on Defense Minister Israel Katz to stop the 'Yohalam rule' and establish a hotline for halachic guidance for soldiers.

Dozens of heads of yeshivas and pre-military academies from the Religious Zionist movement convened yesterday (Sunday) in Jerusalem for the 'Strong as a Leopard' conference and formulated a sharp position paper against the trend of gender integration in the IDF. The document, initiated by the Chotam organization and the 'Strong as a Leopard' headquarters, calls on Defense Minister Israel Katz to halt the process, which they define as led by external organizations and the High Court, harming Torah values, the people's army, and the value of camaraderie. The rabbis announced the establishment of a 'hotline' operating six days a week, 24 hours a day, to provide halachic and legal guidance to soldiers on matters of camp sanctity, along with individual accompaniment and backing. The document includes words of encouragement for regular and reserve soldiers and a call for additional institutions to join the struggle. Among the prominent rabbis who participated: Rabbi Elyakim Levanon, Rabbi Tzvi Kostiner, Rabbi David Fendel, Rabbi Chaim Teitelbaum, Rabbi Ra'aya Peretz, Col. Rabbi Chaim Baruch, Rabbi Ben Tzion Algazi, and Rabbi Yotam Shorak. The conference also included war wounded, reserve fighters, Knesset members, and public figures.