Commander of Haredi brigade to become adviser to IDF chief on ultra-Orthodox affairs

The outgoing and first commander of the IDF’s Hasmonean Brigade for Haredi troops, Col. Avinoam Emunah, will be appointed to a new role as an adviser to the chief of staff on ultra-Orthodox affairs, the military says.

The IDF says that Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir spoke today with Emunah and agreed with him that he will continue to serve in the IDF as the chief of staff’s adviser on Haredi affairs.

Emunah is expected to be promoted to the rank of brigadier general upon entering the new role.

The creation of the new role comes as the IDF is preparing to issue a General Staff order formalizing arrangements that will make it easier for ultra-Orthodox troops to serve.

The order comes amid an ongoing debate in the Knesset over legislation that would exempt yeshiva students from the draft, despite the IDF warning that it faces a manpower shortage. Advocates for the bill say it will add significant numbers of Haredi men to the IDF’s ranks.

Emunah was the inaugural commander of the Hasmonean Brigade, beginning with the unit’s inception in late 2024. He is set to be replaced by Col. Shemer Raviv shortly.