Army Radio: Strong Religious-Zionist Presence in Elite Units
Shevat 18, 5770, 02 February 10 08:11
by Hillel Fendel(Israelnationalnews.com) Army Radio reports on various aspects of the increase in religious-Zionist representation in elite army combat units. Some see it as a “religious take-over” and cause for alarm, while others welcome the development.
The report states that “after the Golani Brigade and Bahad-1 Officer Training Base, the religious-Zionist camp has now become an absolute majority in the Israel Air Force’s elite Shaldag unit.” Most of the new cadets in Shaldag also happen to live in Judea and Samaria, the report notes. In fact, among the first religious officers in Shaldag was none other than a son of the head of the National Union party, MK Yaakov Katz (Ketzaleh).
Shaldag is one of the top elite units in the IDF, and its fighters carry out top secret and dangerous missions. For years it was thought of as a bastion of secular Jews – until today.
Prof.: Threat to Secular Character
Prof. Yagil Levi, of the Open University, fears that the demographic change in combat units will mean an end to the integration of women there. “This definitely means a threat on the secular character of the army, and we must certainly be concerned about it,” he said.
Prof. Yagil Levi, of the Open University, fears that the demographic change in combat units will mean an end to the integration of women there. “This definitely means a threat on the secular character of the army, and we must certainly be concerned about it,” he said.
Founder: Not at All
The founder of Shaldag, Col. (res.) Muki Betzer, sees it differently. “We don’t call this a take-over,” he said. “The fighters are chosen based on professional considerations alone. Just like we didn’t call it a takeover when the backbone of the army came from the working settlements [as agricultural communities connected to the Labor movement are called – ed.] – moshavim and kibbutzim.”
The founder of Shaldag, Col. (res.) Muki Betzer, sees it differently. “We don’t call this a take-over,” he said. “The fighters are chosen based on professional considerations alone. Just like we didn’t call it a takeover when the backbone of the army came from the working settlements [as agricultural communities connected to the Labor movement are called – ed.] – moshavim and kibbutzim.”
The numbers show that two-thirds of the commanders, including the Deputy Commander, of Shaldag are from the religious-Zionist sector. Of the six cadets at Bahad-1 who came from Shaldag, four are from Judea and Samaria – and six of the next eight commanders in the Golani Brigade are of the religious-Zionist camp.
Moshe, who just recently “graduated” from Shaldag, told Army Radio that he is not surprised: “Those who are good are accepted, and they are very anxious to have religious soldiers. I guess it all comes down to education, the kind that is provided in elementary schools, yeshiva high schools and pre-military yeshiva academies.”
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