In the coming summer, two Shomer Shabbat officers will be promoted to senior positions in the IDF. Colonel Ofir Winter will become the head of the Givati Brigade and Colonel Eliezer Toledano will be the Paratrooper Brigade. A leading contender to head the Golani Brigade is Colonel David Zini, who is also Shomer Shabbat.
The new book entitled Between the Kippa and Kumta (IDF Beret) includes passages from IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz and Chief of IDF Education Corps Brigadier-General Eli Sharmeister. The book was written by Dr. Reuven Gal, a former IDF chief psychologist. He addresses fears surrounding the religious takeover of the military by the growing number of kippa sruga officers.
According to Sharmeister the issue is not that of religious and non-religious serving side-by-side but more of how much an officer?s personal hashkafa plays a role in his decision-making process. He warns that if an officer reaches a decision which is tainted by his personal hashkafa, such a decision may stain the unique character and spirit of the IDF, which today is made up of soldiers from all walks of life. He adds that with the growing reality of seeing more and more religious officers there must be a certain caution and sensitivity present accompanied by an adherence to military code towards ensuring the continuance of the IDF status quo.
Regarding the ?Israeli Jewish spirit? of the IDF, the senior education officer does not believe this includes adopting a religious or other ideology. He calls for maintaining the clear separation that exists between adherence to IDF rules and regulations and one?s own beliefs and hashkafa. ?An officer may not use a political or religious message regardless if one if religious or not towards strengthening his unit or making decisions? Sharmeister is quoted as saying.
Chief of Staff Gantz welcomes the presence of the religious soldiers and officers, labeling the dati leumi group as being ?highly motivated and committed to Zionist ideals, committed to the moral strength of the IDF.? He stressed that a kippa upon one?s head does not come into play regarding a decision to advance him or not and this decision is made based on one?s command abilities, experience and other factors, but not the kippa. He adds that in many cases he is unaware regarding an officer being Shomer Shabbat or not, adding it simply is irrelevant as far as he is concerned.
(YWN ? Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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