IDF Chief of Staff Zamir Assures Haredi Yeshiva Students on Military Service
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir met with ultra-Orthodox hesder yeshiva students in Gan Yavne, assuring them that military service preserves their religious identity amid efforts to expand army recruitment.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir met on Tuesday with students at the ultra-Orthodox hesder yeshiva in Gan Yavne, amid ongoing efforts to expand military service recruitment within the Haredi community. During the visit, Zamir emphasized that the military is fully committed to enabling young ultra-Orthodox men to serve while strictly preserving their religious lifestyle and beliefs.
"The IDF has no intention of changing your identity. Our goal is for you to enter the army as Haredim and leave as Haredim," the Chief of Staff stated. "This is not merely a statement, but a commitment by the military and by me personally." He added that the responsibility extends beyond creating specialized service frameworks to training commanders who understand and respect the unique needs of ultra-Orthodox soldiers.
Addressing security demands, Zamir linked the expansion of military ranks to Israel's defense needs following the outbreak of the war. "The events of October 7 underscored the critical need for a larger, stronger, and better-prepared army," he said. He praised the students for combining Torah study with military service, calling them modern-day pioneers who pave the way for others.
Zamir also presented his new multi-year defense development plan named "Hoshen," structured around twelve core pillars symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel. Concluding his remarks, the Chief of Staff stressed that the IDF remains engaged in a protracted multi-front campaign, making personnel expansion essential for future security challenges.
