Minister Smotrich backs the Givati soldiers who refused to board a Namer armored personnel carrier with a female paramedic:

“I support the Givati soldiers who insisted on their right and duty to serve in the IDF while upholding their values and beliefs and adhering to the IDF’s Proper Integration regulations.

The soldiers have the full backing of the rabbis and administrators of the Hesder Yeshiva Association, who examined the matter thoroughly and with due care and stand behind the decision.

I prayed and fervently hoped that the IDF would come to its senses and avoid the need for my intervention, but since that did not happen—as a leader of Religious Zionism, I cannot sit idly by, and I will demand answers from the IDF on this matter.”