After the Chief of Staff of the IDF gave approval for the court's orders concerning the inclusion of female recruits in the military's most elite and combative units, IDF spokesman Brigadier General Daniel Hagari clarified that the IDF would continue to scrutinize these decisions in a measured manner, adhering to clear criteria of competence.

"We hold great respect for the court's decision and the decisions of previous Chiefs of Staff. The Chief of Staff has decided to initiate a pilot program for the recruitment of female fighters within the Chief of Staff's patrol in November 2024. Until then, we will carefully determine the implementation process," stated Hagari. He emphasized that for many years, women have been actively participating in operational activities across various units within the IDF.

Don’t you dare to mess up with Israeli women soldiers of the @IDF. pic.twitter.com/wEWWKGoqFt

— Noor Dahri - نور ڈاہری ‎ 🇬🇧 (@dahrinoor2) September 18, 2023

Hagari expressed that the IDF is now committed to defining the methods of integration to ensure the successful execution of this transition. "We firmly believe that operational success is our guiding principle, and it is entirely achievable," he stressed. He pointed out that for the mobility unit, this transition will occur through the 551st Reserve Brigade, where there is a higher likelihood of implementing joint service with greater success rates. "We have given this considerable thought, and we aim to make this experience a successful one."

Regarding concerns that the immediate consequence of this change might be a decrease in the enlistment rate of young people from the religious sector, Hagari suggested that this should not be the litmus test. He stated, "We are proceeding along a path that seeks solutions, rather than regressing due to threats from any segment of the Israeli public. We must find a balanced approach, and it is not the right time to draw a divisive line that only works against the interests of the religious community."

IDF to begin drafting female recruits to the most elite unit, Sayeret Matkal, as part of the latest pilot programs

'The army can make adjustments to enjoy the power of women. We've seen women contribute on all units for many decades,' says Fmr. IDF Spox @AvitalLeibovich pic.twitter.com/Sogd5LYhZl

— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) September 20, 2023

Hagari continued, "We must allow ourselves the space to delve into this matter further, fostering open dialogue and trust in the IDF's ability to uphold principles of equality, integration, and joint service while preserving individuals' dignity and respect for their feelings. We are prepared to face these challenges because our mission is crystal clear, and our ultimate assessment will be based on competence. Only those who meet and continue to meet the eligibility criteria will be accepted and integrated."