The Waves of Change

I've been worrying already for quite some time about the religious take over of the IDF, and all throughout Israel for that matter. Demographics are changing, and the former secular kibbutznik soldiers, who used to represent the core base of the army and its upper ranks are seemingly disappearing. Throughout my service, it was more than evident, and things only seem to be getting worse.

Part of what bothers me so much is that the catering towards religious soldiers that exists in the IDF is unprecedented in any other Western military. This goes against all of our claims to be a Western styled country standing up for secular humanist values in the heart of the Middle East, surrounded by enemies seeking our destruction. I can't think of any other country that has separate marching orders for different populations within its ranks. This fundamentally doesn't exist in any other Western country.

There are more than a few examples, but here is just one that I remember clearly while I was serving in basic training. As is standard, each morning after breakfast, we would go back to our quarters to complete the daily inspection of our barracks. Everyone would do this. Everyone, but the religious soldiers who were exempt. They were allowed time to go the synagogue on base to pray while the rest of us would have to clean up their living spaces, and make their beds.  And not to mention clean up around our barracks, which included the lovely task of picking up trash and cigarette butts. I'm not someone who is anti-religious, far from it, in fact. However, I am for equality and fairness and sharing the burden with one another. Apparently these values seem to be slipping away in today's IDF. I don't know how exactly it happened, but I hope it can be fixed.

Here is the newest issue of the IDF's monthy magazine "Bamahane". Since it's Pesach, they dedicated a special issue to Haredi ultra-orthodox soldiers. The first of supposedly more to come. The regular magazine normally highlights life for soldiers in all branches of the military, with some interesting behind the scenes takes and personal stories and profiles of Israelis during their service. This issue though is a bit different, no photos of women are to be found at all. In addition, a special Torah portion written by the son of chief Sephardi Rabbi Ovadia Yosef can be found within. A rather intense transformation.

It's pretty obvious that army is moving further and further away from its core original values. Jewish and secular has now been replaced by Jewish and religious. Moshe Dayan is probably turning in his grave right now. By handing over the reigns of Bamahane, and strictly publishing to appease the Haredi population, with the obvious intention of increasing enlistment, the trends are changing, and I hope it's not too late to reverse them.