Smotrich backs Givati soldiers who refused to board APC with female paramedic

Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich addressed the controversy surrounding Givati soldiers who refused to board an armored personnel carrier (APC) with a female paramedic, announcing his support for the soldiers. According to him, they were insisting on their right to serve in the IDF while maintaining their faith and adhering to the 'proper integration' order. Smotrich announced that following the army's conduct, he intends to demand answers on the matter.

"I support the Givati soldiers who insisted on their right and duty to serve in the IDF, while maintaining their values and faith and adhering to the 'proper integration' order," Smotrich stated.

The minister noted that the decision made by the soldiers also enjoys support from officials in the Hesder yeshivas. "The soldiers have the full backing of the rabbis and directors of the Association of Hesder Yeshivas, who examined the issue deeply and with the proper caution; they stand behind the decision," he said.

Smotrich clarified that he had hoped the issue would be resolved within the army without his intervention. After that did not happen, he decided to act by virtue of his political and public status. "I prayed and hoped with all my might that the IDF would come to its senses and prevent the need for my intervention, but since that did not happen – as a leader of Religious Zionism, I cannot sit idly by and I will demand answers from the IDF on the matter," he said.

Further on, the minister intensified his criticism of the army, claiming that the conduct toward the soldiers could widen the conflict with the public from which they come and undermine trust in the IDF. "It is a great pity that there are those in the IDF who choose, with misguided judgment, to confront head-on the most serving and contributing public, in a way that will only create damage and harm public trust in the IDF," Smotrich said.

As recalled, three Givati soldiers were recently sentenced to ten days in military prison after they refused to board an APC used for medical evacuation in which a female paramedic was present. According to the soldiers, they acted in accordance with the instructions of their rabbis, and the refusal concerned the act of boarding the vehicle together with the paramedic, not the execution of the operational mission. Additional soldiers from the same platoon are expected to face trial. Rabbi Dror Aryeh spoke out against the decision, claiming that it was the commanders who acted contrary to army orders.