“I Envy Every Girl Enlisting in 2026”: The Commanders Who Forced Open Sayeret Matkal and 669 to Women
Mor Lidani and Gali Nishri, who led the legal battle for women's integration into elite IDF combat units, reflect on the new opportunities available to female recruits. They emphasize that while challenges remain, the normalization of women in combat roles is a significant achievement.
Mor Lidani looks at the girls currently undergoing military screening and feels a sense of envy. "When I see the options that have opened up to them, I think about what I could have been if I had enlisted now instead of back then. I am jealous of every girl enlisting in 2026, even if she doesn't get into the unit she aimed for—the mere fact that they are looking at her is significant," she admits.
To understand this sentiment, one must look back more than six years. Lidani and Gali Nishri, combat commanders in the Artillery Corps and the Caracal Battalion respectively, spearheaded the legal struggle for the integration of women into elite IDF combat units. Through a series of petitions to the Supreme Court, filed with the help of attorney Yanor Bartental, they successfully opened paths to Sayeret Matkal, Unit 669, and Yahalom.
The Path to Equality
Their journey began before recruitment. "Shayetet 13 was my dream," Gali recounts. "I didn't know it was closed to women. After learning about the Alice Miller case, I realized I had to fight, and I followed that path to the end." Mor fought for seven years for the right to enlist in combat units. "I was naive," she says. "I filed a petition against the IDF before I was even in the army, not realizing how deep the gap was."
Initially, their families were skeptical, but they eventually became their greatest support. Gali recalls, "My father said it wasn't worth turning the world upside down for the one woman who might succeed every few years. But over time, that changed completely."
"We Don't Want Pilot Projects"
A turning point was the opening of Air Force Unit 669 to female combat soldiers. "Finally, the army took it seriously," Gali notes. "We don't want pilot projects or quotas. We want women to pass the selection on equal terms. If she is the only one, let her be the only one, but on identical terms."
The war that broke out on October 7 proved the necessity of female combat soldiers on the front lines, though the IDF's immense operational load has slowed integration resources. Mor observes, "We see a real increase in the operational arena. It is clear that women are entering Gaza and Lebanon. However, formal integration is currently delayed due to a lack of focus."
Femininity as an "X-Factor"
A sensitive issue remains service alongside religious combat soldiers. Gali emphasizes mutual respect: "I don't want to disturb him, and he doesn't want to disturb me. We both understand the importance of everyone on the field." Mor adds, "In routine situations, we can find solutions for religious soldiers. But in operational arenas, it's a different game. It's about life and death. The army must allow everyone to serve without forcing anyone to trample the rights of 51% of the population."
Today, seeing young women choose Yahalom or the infantry without hesitation, Mor and Gali feel proud. "They are no longer treated as if they are 'living in a movie.' The understanding that women can serve in any unit has taken root in society. That was our ultimate goal," they conclude.
