Right-wing organization calls on religious soldiers to report offenses
'First Order,' an organization made up of rabbis and right-wing activists, claims the IDF is preventing soldiers from living a traditional, religious lifestyle; IDF hits back claiming organization's goal is to sow dissension within the military.
A religious watchdog organization launched by rabbis and right-wing activists invites soldiers to report any incident in which they feel discriminated against based on their religious observance and lifestyle.
The IDF criticized the organization 'First Order,' after a publication in Yedioth Ahronoth, Ynet's sister publication, saying that its sole objective is to "invent false claims and sow dissension in the army, while pretending to help soldiers."
First Order urges religious soldiers to call their information center or post on their Facebook page if they have a complaint. Members then pass the relevant information and complaints to the military rabbinate and senior IDF commanders for review.
Written on the organization's Facebook page is the following passage: "Soldier, did you receive an order contrary to your traditions? Are they having non-kosher barbeques? Are you being forced to shave your beard? You have the right to maintain a traditional lifestyle!"
The organization was established in light of the struggle between leaders of religious Zionism and the IDF over the extent of religious content that reaches soldiers. The struggle reached its peak several weeks ago in which Rabbi Yigal Levinstein made a speech on what he deemed to be "perverts."
Levinstein's speech attacked the LGBT community and also claimed that the army has a problematic trend of weakening religious values and introducing content which offends religious soldiers.
The organization responded by saying, "First Order was established to restore a positive attitude toward traditionally religious soldiers. We are seeing signs of a change in the trend within the army command, which prevents soldiers from living and maintaining a traditional lifestyle. We aim to provide protection and assistance to religious soldiers so that they may continue to serve the people of Israel without harming the Jewish religious faith."
For its part, the IDF categorically rejects the organization's mission statement. "The IDF rejects any political involvement under the guise of pretending to help soldiers," read a statement.
"The IDF will continue to act as melting pot for all sectors of Israeli society and continue to protect the State of Israel. We regret that there are those who wish to invent false allegations and instill division in the army. Tension or complaints of any kind during military service need to be dealt with only by commanders with no fear of any political involvement."
