Women in an IDF Combat Unit (IDF)
The IDF announced that it plans to integrate more women into combat units, including its most elite special forces unit the Sayeret Matkal, (General Staff Reconnaissance) which is under the personal command of the IDF Chief of Staff. It conducts deep reconnaissance behind enemy lines to obtain strategic intelligence, counter-terrorism, and hostage rescue beyond Israel’s borders.
Women will be integrated into a number of units through a trial period, including the armored and the mobile infantry in 2024. If the trial periods are successful then women will be fully-integrated into these units.
The IDF Spokesman’s office said that the decision to do so was made by IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi after what it called an in-depth examination conducted by the IDF. The move also came as a result of a number of petitions seeking to require equality for women in the IDF’s combat units were filed with Israel’s Supreme Court.
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The Sayeret Matkal was established in 1957 at the initiative of its first commander, Avraham Arnan. It was comprised of veterans of the special Palmach unit that fought during Israel’s War of Independence. It was also established with veterans of the Intelligence Corps, veterans of Unit 101 and the Paratroopers Brigade, as well as young kibbutzniks. It is comprised of highly skilled and experienced soldiers, and its capabilities and activities are mostly secret.
During the Yom Kippur War, Sayeret Matkal fought mainly in Sinai and Hermon. In the First Lebanon War, the unit’s commander, Shay Avital, insisted that it would be an infantry unit in all aspects. During the Second Lebanon War, Sayeret Matkal carried out raids deep inside Lebanon, during one of which Lt. Col. Emanuel Moreno fell in battle.
In addition, experiences were opened for the service of female fighters in Unit 669 – the IDF’s Special Tactics Rescue Unit – and Yahalom – the IDF’s Combat Engineering Corps’ reconnaissance unit. The first round of 12 female fighters began trials for Yahalom in March 2023, and in November 2023 additional female fighters will be recruited to it. The first trial recruitment for Unit 669 is expected to be held in November 2023.
The IDF stated that women have served since its inception and make a “significant contribution to achieving its goals.”
Today, 90% of the positions in the IDF are open to women, and thousands of female soldiers serve in various combat positions.
