| | Over the last few years Israel has had
problems maintaining the strength of its only female infantry battalion
and female combat jobs in general. Currently 1.6 percent of Israeli
combat jobs are filled by women. The army wants to increase that to two
percent and to that end is staffing the new Iron Dome anti-missile units
with women. Israeli law forbids sending women into combat but does
allow for giving them jobs that might lead to combat situations.
Over the last few years fewer women have volunteered for
combat jobs. So the military is experimenting with new screening and
training methods, to address common complaints among women inclined to
volunteer for these jobs. So far these efforts have led to a 15 percent
increase in volunteers but more are needed. Part of the problem is that a
growing proportion of potential recruits are young men and women from
ultra-orthodox Jewish families. The men are exempt from conscription and
the women usually marry early. This exemption is under heavy political
attack by the majority of Israelis but so far the exemption stands.
Israel has, over the last few decades, expanded the number
of combat jobs women can volunteer for. Israel conscripts men (for three
years) and women (for two years). But women have more exemptions
(especially marriage). Women who volunteer for combat duty are hard core
because not only will they have to undergo some strenuous training but
will have to serve three years on active duty, plus several years as
reservists. This is necessary to justify the longer training required.
Like many other countries Israeli military police units
contain men and women. Same with dog handlers, border guards, artillery
units, and some search and rescue units. Women have long served as
flight instructors, as well as trainers for tank crews.
There is also a largely female infantry unit, the Caracal
Battalion. Part of the 512th Brigade in Southern Command, the battalion
was formed in 2000, to provide a place for women who wanted to be in the
infantry. It's a light (not mechanized) infantry unit that mainly
serves along the Jordanian or Egyptian borders. The battalion took part
in safeguarding Israeli civilians and troops during the 2005 evacuation
of Gaza. Initially, about half the troops in Caracal were female, as are
most of the officers and NCOs, and, usually, the commander. Now about
70 percent of the Caracal members are women, although it was 90 percent
three years ago. While many troops see Caracal as a publicity stunt and a
sop to the feminists, the unit has performed well and has a reputation
as a no-nonsense and reliable outfit.
During their independence war in 1948, Israel had female
infantry units but these were withdrawn. Not because the women couldn't
fight but because Arab units facing them became more fanatical, and less
likely to surrender, when they realized they were fighting women. There
has long been pressure from conservative Jewish clergy in Israel who
want women to be barred from combat jobs, while Arab radicals are urging
more women to get involved in terrorism operations, including suicide
bombings.
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