A group fighting the integration of women into combat roles in the Israel Defense Forces has taken its efforts a step further and has launched a campign calling on fathers to "protect" their daughters from such grueling service.
Brothers in Arms was formed in 2017 with the aim of "preserving the IDF's nature as a cultural, moral and ethical military." It says its vision is to see the IDF "embrace its historical legacy of being free of external agendas," such as the integration of women in front-line roles traditionally performed by men. It also says it is apolitical and its only objective is "to protect the IDF's resilience and stop far-reaching processes that could compromise its fighting ability."
Brothers in Arms claims that female soldiers are more vulnerable than male soldiers to injuries in the line of duty, and that women in combat roles are more prone to stress fractures, knee and pelvis injuries, and more.
"Operational threshold requirements have been lowered to accommodate female recruits and as a result, the IDF's operational readiness suffers," the group says.
As part of its efforts to discourage young women from joining combat units, the group decided to launch the campaign appealing to fathers.
"One of every three female fighters gets hurt during military service. Dad, protect your daughter!" reads a sign set up by Brothers in Arms at the entrance to the main military induction base outside Tel Aviv.
