Women soldiers

The controversy over mixed-gender IDF units still ruffles Israeli society - opinion

The deeper challenge lies in the clash between equality at any price and adherence to Jewish law.

|BySHUKI FRIEDMAN
IDF forces during the “Sulfur and Fire” readiness exercise on May 15, 2026.
Israeli soldiers participate in an official ceremony marking Israel's Memorial, Day one day ahead of Israel's 69'th Indepedence Day in Kiryat Shaul Military cemetery, Tel Aviv on May 1'st, 2017.

Female former IDF soldier detained in Turkey, released following US pressure - report

The arrest occurred amidst an Islamist campaign calling for the arrest of soldiers from the “Zionist Army.”

|ByARIELLA ROITMAN
There is a high demand for combat roles among women in the November-December 2023 draft

Women's integration into IDF 'disaster': Rabbis send letter to Netanyahu demanding intervention

The letter came in response to the military’s new program, which would include women in the Armored Corps. It was written by leading rabbis in the religious Zionist sector.

|ByKESHET NEEV
THE BARDELAS Battalion, which is made up mostly of young female reservists, has insisted that they be allowed to fight in Gaza with the IDF ground forces.

IDF co-ed battalion makes history by sending women troops to Gaza

WOMEN'S AFFAIRS: Female combat soldiers from the IDF co-ed infantry Bardelas (Cheetah) Battalion broke through another glass ceiling.

|ByTAL SHALEV

For first time, woman appointed as military secretary to president

Col. N will be the first woman to serve as military secretary to the president.

DECEMBER 20, 2021ByGREER FAY CASHMAN
Col. N who was appointed as the military secretary for President Isaac Herzog on December 20, 2021

Senior IDF officer arrested for secretly photographing female soldiers

A senior officer was arrested for secretly taking intimate photos of soldiers with planted cameras in the women's residences.

NOVEMBER 11, 2021ByTAL LEV RAM/MAARIV
Female soldiers of the Bardales Battalion preparing for urban warfare training, near Nitzanim in the Arava area of Southern Israel.

IDF's second pilot to integrate women into armored corps to begin

Decision on the program is expected by mid-2022

NOVEMBER 23, 2020ByANNA AHRONHEIM
Israeli female soldiers walk in front of a tank during an exercise at the end of their tank instructors course at Shizafon base

Jordanian princess becomes country's first female jet pilot

Salma is the first Jordanian woman to complete training for a fixed-wing aircraft, but not the first one to finish pilot training in general.

JANUARY 9, 2020ByTZVI JOFFRE
A Royal Jordanian Air Force plane takes off from an air base to strike the Islamic state in the Syrian city of Raqqa February 5, 2015.

The ‘Four Daughters’ within me

How I grew from the one who doesn’t know to ask to the wise one.

APRIL 20, 2019ByYOCHI RAPPEPORT
Women of the Wall celebrating their 30th anniversary

Eisenkot: Women will not serve in Golani or Paratroopers under my watch

IDF Chief of Staff says there is a limit to integrating women into army's frontline units.

FEBRUARY 5, 2018ByANNA AHRONHEIM
Female soldier, Lotem Stapleton, a physical education officer, demonstrates a move during a training session in Krav Maga, an Israeli self-defense technique, at a military base in the Golan Heights March 1, 2017.

Israeli Air Force encourages more women to join pilots course

“A plane doesn’t care if it’s a woman or a man flying it. The Air Force wants the best of the best."

DECEMBER 20, 2017ByANNA AHRONHEIM
A female air force pilot at the Hatzor base

American women war veterans visit Israel for spiritual healing

"Every day is a battle both physically and mentally. Jerusalem has given me a sense of purpose." says Iraq War vet.

OCTOBER 20, 2017ByJUDITH SUDILOVSKY
Rocio Villanueva, 31, of Escondido, California (second from the right), joins hands with other US women veterans prior to being baptized in the Jordan River

IDF opens new track for religious women in Cyber Defense Directorate

The first all-female class of 23 students began September 1rst. They will enlist in IDF in June 2019.

OCTOBER 3, 2017ByANNA AHRONHEIM
Female IDF soldier in the J6/C4I Cyber Defense Directorate.

1 in 6 female soldiers report sexual harassment in IDF

The majority of female soldiers who reported being sexually harassed said they had been harassed more than once during their service.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2017ByANNA AHRONHEIM
Israeli soldiers of Caracal battalion