Knesset committee tells IDF to work on suitable uniforms, equipment for female soldiers

The Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meets to discuss equipment gaps for female soldiers in the IDF and the lack of appropriate uniforms and gear tailored to their bodies.

After a discussion, initiated by Knesset Members Merav Ben-Ari (Yesh Atid) and Brig. Gen. (Res.) Sharon Nir (Yisrael Beiteinu),  the committee recommends that the military set up a working group to develop a serious, comprehensive review of equipment for female soldiers within the IDF, rather than relying on ad-hoc solutions.

The meeting was called following the publication of a report in the Times of Israel that highlighted the problems faced as the military pushes to have more female soldiers in combat roles.

The report detailed the mismatch of uniforms with the female body, inadequate helmets, and most notably, body armor with ceramic plates that do not sufficiently protect the waist area of female soldiers due to their different body structure.

Ben-Ari, who opened the session, emphasizes the importance of ensuring that female soldiers receive adequate protection from shrapnel and gunfire. She also mentions the importance of comfort in their uniforms to allow flexibility and speed in performing their duties in the field.

An IDF representative at the meeting, Lieut. Col. Alon Hoffman, head of the Land Forces Weapons Department, presents some of the solutions that the IDF has recently begun working on. According to him, the IDF has examined the use of a different type of body armor with flexible materials that may offer better protection for the chest and waist areas but rejected them for safety reasons.

Hoffman says the IDF is testing different solutions and also working on helmets that accommodate longer hair.