The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) are celebrating what is seen as a successful pilot programme to have women troops serving in the armoured brigades, Quds Press reported on Monday. Service in the brigades is apparently now less popular among male soldiers.

“After eight months of uproar that included strong criticism of this measure,” said Yedioth Ahronoth, “one week later the first cohort of female soldiers in the armoured brigades will be sent to the borders.” The Israeli newspaper noted that this is a first for the IDF.

Last year, the occupation army announced that 86 soldiers refused to carry out their compulsory military service in the armoured brigades. According to Quds Press, their families supported their decision to go to prison rather than serve in tanks. A report in the Times of Israel confirmed that the armoured brigades have in recent years become one of the least popular units for recruits.

An IDF spokesman explained that 15 women have been participating in the pilot programme to test their abilities, “including lifting shells, loading them, driving and firing.” Although these female soldiers are to be sent to the southern border they will not be obliged to cross the border and carry out attacks.

Palestinian military expert Wasef Erekat said that the popularity of serving in the armoured brigades dropped after they lost their deterrent effect following the defeats in Israeli offensives against Gaza and Lebanon.

Israeli media, meanwhile, have reported that some officials in Israel have objected to having women in the armoured brigades. They believe that this damages the reputation of the Israeli occupation army.

Source: Quds Press International News Agency
Translated by: Middle East Monitor
In collaboration with the Palestinian Media Forum