Spare me the army haircut. This was the demand of an 18-year-old Israeli, who charged this week that the Israel Defense Force is practicing discrimination when it requires male recruits, but not their female counterparts, to cut their hair.
Not eager to part with the ponytail he sports, the Haifa resident brought his complaint to the High Court of Justice.
His charge of discrimination represents another challenge that the IDF, a traditional male bastion, has had to confront after allowing women to enter its combat units.
Explaining the basis for his suit, the petitioner said, “When the army requires males to cut their hair when they are inducted into the IDF, and [they] must keep a short haircut throughout their service — while this is not required of women — this represents sexual discrimination and a violation of civil rights.”
“If women with long hair can meet the etiquette requirements of the army and function acceptably, so can men,” the petitioner added.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
