IDF to Open Top Special Forces Unit to Women in 2024
The military reexamined its position following High Court petitions against the exclusion of women from various combat roles
Female combatants in the coed IDF infantry battalion Caracal. Photo: IDF Spokesperson
The IDF announced yesterday (Tuesday) that it will start drafting female recruits to its most elite units starting in 2024.
This move follows ongoing legal proceedings in Israel’s High Court of Justice, which is dealing with petitions against Israel’s defense establishment pertaining to the exclusion of women from certain combat positions. In June, the Court requested the respondents (the IDF, the Chief of Staff, and the Ministry of Defense) to reply to a series of questions pertaining to available roles and integration of female combatants.
In a statement, the IDF said that "As a result of petitions filed to the High Court of Justice regarding the expansion of combat roles open to women, the IDF conducted thorough and comprehensive examination processes.
“Following these processes, it was decided that the selection process for women would be the same as the selection process for men, thereby expanding the opportunities for women to participate in combat role selections. This means that women will be able to apply for combat roles without any threshold requirements, similar to men."
Women will now be able to try out for the General Staff Reconnaissance Unit (Sayeret Matkal), as well as the elite search and rescue Unit 699 and the special forces unit of the Engineering Corps (Yahalom). Regarding the latter, an initial group of 12 female combatants has already been drafted and are currently undergoing training.
In addition, women will be able to try out for new infantry roles and train as border protection tank combatants.
