IDF Chief Zamir Hails All-Haredi Brigade, Says Faith Fits Military Service

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir visited the Chashmonaim Brigade on Sunday, praising the all-Haredi combat unit as evidence that ultra-Orthodox religious practice can coexist with military service. "Anyone who enlists as a charedi will remain charedi," Zamir told the soldiers, calling them pioneers whose integration into the IDF should serve as a model for others in the ultra-Orthodox community. Israeli President Isaac Herzog backed Zamir’s message, emphasizing that the military answers to a single chain of command. "We have one chief of staff and the soldiers must listen to him," he said, underscoring the importance of unity as the army seeks to broaden Haredi participation amid an ongoing national debate over conscription exemptions for religious students.