Women are shattering the IDF elite units' glass ceilings

• Published date: 08 March 2024
• Author: YONAH JEREMY BOB
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Twenty-three recently passed initial vetting rounds to move toward more specific training programs for potentially serving in elite units. Out of those 23, eight out of 10 passed from the Five Fingers training organization which focuses on assisting women through these processes

One woman, Li Hochman, from Even Yehuda, has even moved on to potential vetting for the Sayeret Matkal special forces unit.

After one vetting session, Hochman told the Magazine, "We did more in one morning than many people do in a day. We can really help with our military service. We have a lot of pride. We competed with a group of very large men. This could deter lots of women and cause some anxiety, but if you understand you can do it all and you act with professionalism, then there is nothing you cannot achieve.

"The sky's the limit. Everything new is challenging. But this is a chance to be a positive influence and an example," she added.

Which elite IDF units are women trying to enter?

More of the women are trying to make it into special units like Oketz, which does combat and special operations using dogs; the anti-tunnel Yahalom unit; and the 669 Search and Rescue Unit.

In general, women have received a windfall in support for elite units following the high levels of performance of a number of IDF female combat fighters and police combat fighters on Oct. 7 and during the Gaza invasion. There is also an increasing number of women in higher ranking career-track jobs in the IDF, with two major-generals, seven brigadier-generals, 51 colonels, and 486 lieutenant-colonels.

If before, one of the last remaining objections of doubters was that IDF women could perform stationary guard duty but that when a real war came they would be a liability, all of the data and narratives from Oct. 7 and after suggest that female combat fighters performed at high levels under the most extreme possible conditions.

Corp. Maya Atilas of the Gaza Division's Border Defense Unit told the Magazine about her Oct. 7 experience on the southern front.

After the massacre, she felt the IDF would have easily let her switch to a lower-risk position, but she insisted on staying, explaining, "It was personal for me that it was important to do because also maybe someone would say women would not be able to continue, but I couldn't quit. No matter how hard it was to go back to the lookout post, I will continue.

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