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IDF chief: Ceremonies where women sing mandatory for religious soldiers

December 27, 2011

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Orthodox Israeli soldiers must attend formal military ceremonies at which women sing but can be excused from informal social gatherings, the head of the military said.

Israel Defense Forces Benny Gantz said Tuesday that female soldiers have equality in the military and that there is no ban on women's singing in the IDF. He made the statements during an interview on Army Radio.

Religious cadets walked out of an official ceremony earlier this year at which female soldiers were singing. The cadets were removed from the officer training program.

"The IDF has room for the service of women wherever they can contribute," Gantz said in the interview. Women can “contribute operationally, they can deal with situations, they can sing, the Hebrew singer is part of our culture,” he said.
 

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