The course maintained full IDF standards, including all the instruction given to cadets at the IDF's Officer's School (Bahad 1), and allowed the graduates to maintain their haredi lifestyle.

Haredi soldiers from the Hashmonaim Brigade officers training course graduate, July 1, 2026. (Source: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

ByTZVI JASPER

JULY 3, 2026 14:24

Updated: JULY 3, 2026 14:27

The IDF's haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Hashmonaim Brigade had its first-ever officer course graduation on Wednesday, the IDF announced on Friday.

The course maintained full IDF standards, including all the instruction given to cadets at the IDF's Officer's School (Bahad 1), as well as allowing the graduates to maintain their haredi lifestyle.

Following their graduation, the haredi officers will undergo four additional months of training in the Gefen course, along with the general infantry course at Bahad 1. They will then be integrated into various officer roles in the Hashmonaim Brigade.

“You are at a significant and important stage on your path to becoming officers," the brigade commander, Col. S., told the graduates.

"This is a difficult and challenging path even in normal times, and especially now, when we are in the midst of a flood that is stirring up the country. Even in the original flood, Noah’s ark stood firm in the midst of the storm and the flood. You, the cadets, are inside this ark and continue your training with distinction. When the situation outside is over, and it will be over, you will be here to lead the brigade and the people of Israel forward."

Haredi officer course is milestone in drawing ultra-Orthodox to IDF

The IDF stated that the officer course represented a "significant milestone" in attempts to integrate more haredi people into the military.

"The course is part of a series of unprecedented steps that the IDF has taken over the past three years," the IDF said, "with the aim of enabling service members from the haredi community to develop into command and officer positions, while adapting service paths to their needs and fully preserving their lifestyle."