NGO invites soldiers to report religious infringements
In a new video released to thousands of soldiers via Whatsapp, right-wing NGO 'Tzav 1' encourages soldiers to call their hotline and report violations of their religious freedoms; IDF: 'commanders are dedicated to allowing all those who serve to serve according to the law without harming their way of life.'
In the message sent to soldiers, the NGO writes, "You love your Judaism and you love your people. In the army, everybody is together for the sake of one another. But when being together for everyone hurts your tradition, you have a problem."
The producers of the video detail the numerous challenges religious soldiers face in the army such as the lack of food considered strictly kosher for those who meticulously observe Jewish dietary laws, joint prayer services between men and women and the need to shave. The video then states, "What do you do when you encounter a problem? Turn to your commanders and an army rabbi, and if you don't get proper consideration, Tzav 1's hotline is here for you."
The video has been sent to roughly 50,000 soldiers currently serving and their families, which the organization lists in their database. The organization also disseminated the video on social media.
"You have a problem when instead of learning about Jewish heroes, the army takes you for a culture day to a church," the message reads.
"The organization's information system works in a variety of ways to help soldiers who are interested in keeping traditions. The video was produced after receiving hundreds of complaints and understanding the most pressing problems for religious soldiers."
In the past, the IDF harshly criticized the hotline, labeling it as "an attempt to divide the army." However, recently there has been cooperation between the organization and the military rabbinical association, with the leaders of the NGO meeting the Chief Rabbi of the IDF, Lt. Col. Eyal Karim.
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit responded to the video saying, "The IDF will continue to be a melting pot for all sectors of Israeli society and defend the State of Israel. IDF commanders are dedicated to allowing all those who serve to serve according to the law without harming their way of life, while preserving equality and dignity for each soldier. Issues during military service or complaints of any kind will be handled only by commanders in order to preserve the IDF as a moral, fighting force."
