After rabbis’ threats, IDF chief says plan to integrate women into tank units won’t come at expense of any community

By Emanuel Fabian

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11 June 2026, 3:00 pm

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Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

After the leaders of more than two dozen yeshivas threatened to stop sending their students to serve in tank units because of a pilot program integrating women into the Armored Corps, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir says the initiative will not come at the expense of one population over another.

“The IDF is the people’s army, and therefore sees paramount importance in integrating all populations into its ranks, especially in combat roles,” he says at a conference.

“This complex integration will always be carried out in a manner that allows one community to serve alongside another, and not at its expense,” Zamir adds.