Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is providing support this morning (Monday) to the Hesder yeshiva fighters from the Givati Brigade who were sentenced to prison terms after they refused to board the military base where a female paramedic soldier was staying - in violation of the 'joint service' order.
Smotrich wrote: "I support the Givati fighters who insisted on their right and duty to serve in the IDF, while maintaining their values and faith and while adhering to the proper integration order. The fighters have the full backing of the rabbis and administrators of the Hesder Yeshivot Association, who examined the issue in depth and with due caution, and stand behind the decision.".
He added: "I prayed and hoped with all my heart that the IDF would come to its senses and prevent the need for my intervention, but since that did not happen - as the leader of religious Zionism, I cannot sit idly by and demand answers from the IDF on the subject.".
""It is a great shame that there are those in the IDF who choose, with mistaken judgment, to confront the public head-on with what serves and contributes the most, in a way that will only cause harm and undermine the public's trust in the IDF.".
Last night, the IDF announced that five of the fighters who refused to go to the military base were sentenced to 10 days in prison in the military prison. In addition, 11 additional fighters were sentenced to five days in prison.
IDF sources added that two of the fighters sentenced to ten days in prison will be required to pass an evaluation committee before they are allowed to return to combat activity.
The incident occurred in the Rotem Battalion of the Givati Brigade, when the force operating in the Gaza Strip was required to carry out operational activity that included reconnaissance and the use of a medical vehicle in which a paramedic was stationed.
Three fighters refused to board the vehicle, and according to sources familiar with the details, the rest of the platoon's fighters were then asked if any of them were willing to board with her - but none of them agreed.
According to the report, the company commander spoke with the fighters and explained to them the importance of the operational activity and the urgency of carrying it out, but they persisted in their refusal.
