IDF’s Haredi brigade graduates its first squad commanders’ course

The IDF’s new Hasmonean Brigade for ultra-Orthodox troops completed its first-ever squad commanders’ course, which the military says lays the groundwork for “the future generation of Haredi commanders in the army.”

Some 70 soldiers in the brigade completed the course and are now certified squad commanders. The IDF says they underwent combat training in urban and open areas, navigation exercises throughout the country, and briefly fought in Gaza.

Last night, a ceremony was held marking the end of the squad commanders’ course.

The military says the course “is part of significant IDF processes aimed at integrating ultra-Orthodox youth into the army.”

The ceremony comes amid deep societal tensions over whether and how to draft Haredi soldiers into the IDF.

The establishment of the brigade was part of the military’s efforts to expand the enlistment of ultra-Orthodox men, as it faces personnel shortages caused by the ongoing war in Gaza. It also aims to demonstrate, despite opposition to enlistment from leading Haredi rabbis, that military service can go hand in hand with ultra-Orthodox observance.