Zamir Tells Haredi Yeshiva Students IDF Service Must Preserve Their Religious Identity

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told Haredi yeshiva students in Gan Yavne on Tuesday that widening military service must go together with protecting their religious identity. He met students at a Haredi hesder yeshiva, with Netzah Yehuda association CEO Yossi Levy, Derech Chaim yeshivot head Rabbi Carmi Gross and additional commanders attending. “Our goal is for you to enter the army Haredi and leave Haredi,” Zamir said. He described preserving that identity as both an army commitment and his personal commitment. He said commanders must understand Haredi soldiers’ faith and way of life, and receive the preparation needed to lead them with sensitivity and professionalism. Zamir praised the combination of Torah study, preparation for life and contributing to Israel’s security, presenting them as complementary commitments. He referred to Pirkei Avot and described the opportunity to visit a place of Torah learning as a privilege. Discussing his multiyear Hoshen force-building plan, he said its 12 core subjects correspond to Israel’s twelve tribes, using the distinct stones of the breastplate to illustrate retaining individual identities within a shared whole. He linked the need to broaden the service base to the lessons of the October 7 attack. In his assessment, those lessons require a larger, stronger and better-prepared army. His remarks coupled that manpower goal with a commitment to respect the religious needs of Haredi recruits.