Portrait of Bezalel Smotrich
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Bezalel Smotrich on Military Service

Opposes women in combat (strong)

TL;DR

Bezalel Smotrich strongly opposes mixed-gender military service and women in combat roles for ideological and professional reasons.

Key Points

  • He stated he would try to educate his daughter not to enlist due to religious conviction and the Chief Rabbinate's opposition.

  • He asserts that mixed-gender military units are detrimental for professional reasons, creating a problematic atmosphere and harming army professionalism.

  • The Religious Zionism party, led by him, declared it will only support a Haredi draft law that brings about rapid enlistment to ease the burden on current fighters.

Summary

Bezalel Smotrich, the Finance Minister and leader of the Religious Zionism party, has clearly articulated his opposition to mixed-gender military service and women serving in combat roles. He stated that he would actively discourage his own daughter from enlisting, citing religious opposition from the Chief Rabbinate and his personal rabbis as motivation. The minister framed this stance as rooted in a long-standing system of values and also claimed that integrated units harm operational effectiveness, create a poor atmosphere, and reduce professionalism within the army.

This position highlights deep ideological divisions within Israeli society regarding gender roles and military integration, a debate that frequently surfaces due to Israel's mandatory service for women. Despite his firm stance against women in combat, he has generally stated he respects differing personal choices, as the army permits it, though his comments have drawn sharp condemnation from advocacy groups who view them as undermining female troops. Furthermore, he has been actively involved in discussions regarding the draft of the ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) community, asserting they must join the IDF but must be respected for who they are, preferring dialogue and positive incentives over sanctions for non-service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bezalel Smotrich has expressed a strong opposition to women serving in combat roles within the Israel Defense Forces. He attributes this stance to religious convictions, citing his rabbis and the Chief Rabbinate, as well as professional concerns about mixed-gender units.

His position regarding women in combat appears consistent, rooted in his religious-nationalist ideology. While his specific comments on the ultra-Orthodox draft have seen him navigate complex coalition politics, his general opposition to integrated combat units remains a long-held view.

The minister believes that Haredi men must join the IDF to alleviate the burden on other soldiers, viewing this as a historic opportunity. However, he insists that any change must come via dialogue with Haredi leadership and that they must be respected for who they are.