Mika Kliger wants to serve in a Golani reconnaissance unit. Gali Nishri is following in her family's footsteps and dreams of serving with the elite Shayetet 13 naval commandos. Omer Saria isn't giving up until she can wear a red paratrooper's beret. And Mor Lidani has her sights set on the Duvdevan anti-terror unit. All four are currently enrolled in pre-military preparatory programs, and all have dreamed of serving in combat roles from the time they were young. All four are also in excellent physical condition.
"We were born for this, and nothing is going to stop us," they say.
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These young women weren't yet born when Alice Miller filed her famous petition with the High Court 25 years ago, which forced the Israeli Air Force to admit women into its pilot training course. Since then, the military has opened many more combat roles to women, who now serve as pilots, naval officers, and in the infantry. But they are demanding more – a chance to serve in the IDF's most elite, and demanding, commando units.
The four say they want a fair chance to try out for elite service, and they want to be tested just like their male counterparts, "without anyone going easy on us." If they meet all the criteria, they want to serve as commandos.
In May, the ambitious quartet filed a High Court petition urging the defense minister and the IDF chief of staff to allow women to try out for special units. Their petition asks the army to explain "why combat roles in the elite units are categorically closed to women, an unacceptable stance that goes against the principle of equal opportunities and is against the law." The government has another week to respond.
Their petition came on the heels of two petitions filed in September 2019 and January 2020, both of which demanded that the IDF allow women to serve in combat roles in the Armored Corps. After the September 2019 petition, the IDF decided to launch a pilot that would integrate all-female tank units into the military's border defenses. The pilot is scheduled to begin sometime in the next few months, with 60 women participating.
'We were really keen'
Kliger, Nishri, Saria, and Lidani were inspired to petition the High Court by Afik Shema, whom Kliger and Lidani knew from their pre-military academy. Shema, 26, is a reservist lieutenant who oversaw the female tank crew pilot, was one of the petitioners this past January.
"Afik talked to us about women serving in the IDF. He explained the process and the Armored Corps pilot, which I thought was a good thing, and said that only another High Court petition could open all roles in the army to women. We told him right away we were keen on the idea," says Lidani.
Shema referred Lidani and Kliger to attorneys Inor Bertantal and Amichai Weinberger.
Separately, Saria and Nishri contacted the same attorneys with a similar request. The lawyers put all four in contact and announced that they would represent them gratis.
Nishri, 18, was born and raised on Moshav Mazor in the Sharon region. Her mother is a nursery school teacher, her father is an engineer, and she has two brothers. Nishri is currently a student in the Telem pre-military academy in Holon and is slated to enlist in March 2021, where she is currently headed for a post with the Combat Intelligence Corps.
Lidani, 19, was born in Emek Hefer and raised on Moshav Haniel, the third of four daughters. Her mother is a jurist and runs a law firm; her father owns a construction company. She is a member of the pre-military academy Hanegev and will also enlist in the IDF next March and join the Artillery Corps.
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Saria, 18, was born and raised in Rehovot. Her mother works for the Israel Postal Company, and her father is a security officer. She has two younger siblings and is currently completing the Yitzhak Rabin pre-military prep program at Oranim Academic College. Saria will begin her military service next March with the Border Police.
Kliger, 19, was born and raised in Haifa. Her mother works in a patent attorneys' office and her father is a retiree of Rafael. She is the third of four children. Like Lidani, she is currently going through the Hanegev program.
'It's important to me to break down barriers'
Kliger expects to enlist in the Israel Navy in October and join its officers training course, the tryouts for which are exhausting. She already completed them successfully.
"There were 110 of us, and only 17 passed. In my group, I was with 11 men, but that didn't bother me. I helped them, pulled them along, and they pulled me. Everything was totally equal. Physically and mentally I was the same as any guy there. If I made it through those cuts, there's no reason I can't make the cut for a Golani reconnaissance unit," she says.
Q: Why Golani?
"I think it's a diverse unit that includes all sectors of the population. It's a very cohesive, family-like unit, and these are things I want to experience. No less important, it's challenging. I know I can serve there."
Q: The naval officers course is prestigious, too.
"I'd be happy to serve as an officer, it's a prestigious and interesting job, but it makes me angry that the army has barred women from volunteering for special units. If it was possible, I'd choose the reconnaissance. It's important to me to break down barriers, gender-based discrimination. It's important to me to be evaluated based on my abilities."
Next to Saria's dormitory bed, she has hung a picture of the late Yoni Netanyahu and copies of parts of letters he wrote, as well as a picture of World War II paratrooper Hanna Szenes. They are her heroes.
"I first heard about Yoni in high school, when I started to read about the army, and was immediately impressed. The operations he took part in and the story of Entebbe showed me that this was a model hero and a role model. He started off as an officer in the Paratroops Brigade, and from there he went on to the General Staff's reconnaissance unit [Sayeret Matkal]. He had qualities I identify with – perseverance, sacrifice, determination, the drive to excel. I read The Letters of Jonathan Netanyahu, I saw movies about him, and I know every letter he wrote by heart," she says.
Q: It's interesting that you admire a male fighter.
"I also admire Hannah Szenes. It's not because he was a man or because she was a woman, but because of their characteristics, their deeds, and the way they sacrificed their lives."
Saria's father served as a paratrooper in the Nahal Brigade, which explains why she is drawn to serve as a paratrooper.
"I talked with him, and he sparked the desire. Hannah Szenes' story also influenced me. At the same time, guys I knew started the tryouts for the paratroops, and it made me even more curious. Ultimately, six chiefs of staff came out of that brigade."
'It's all about determination and perseverance'
Lidani grew up surrounded by boys. "When my friends went to play soccer, I went along. I love running, surfing, and climbing, so it came naturally. I think that with my mentality, I'm more comfortable with guys. But that doesn't contradict the fact that I like to dress up, put on makeup, and wear heels. Any girl would have been proud of my Barbie collection."
Q: How did growing up with a bunch of boys influence you?
"It made me want the things they got. When we started high school, I didn't understand why they were invited to try out … and I wasn't. My good friends started training for army service with the group Five Fingers, which was for boys only. I saw how they started developing physical fitness and I wasn't willing to be left behind.
"I contacted the organization, and they asked me to bring 25 girls so they could open a group for us. I sent out a message that a fitness group was opening up that would include physical and mental training, and anyone who wanted to could come along and see what it was about. 25 girls came, and they all stayed. Five Fingers has been running groups for girls for two years now.
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"At the same time, I trained with the boys' group, and I made it to eighth out of a group of 40 in terms of physical strength. I got the impression that the boys felt threatened by me. That was the talk. When a woman is stronger or faster than the guys she's with, men see it in a twisted say, as if it means they're weak. For some of them, it caused insecurity. There's a basic mistake here: women can be faster or stronger than me, and it doesn't mean that the men aren't fast or strong."
During one of her training sessions with Five Fingers, Lidani took part in a simulation of Shayetet 13 tryouts. She scored as high as seventh out of 40 on some of the criteria.
"The fact that I was the only girl affected the atmosphere and caused the guys with me to exert themselves more. I think that it's time people finally realized that a woman detracts nothing from the man next to her."
Q: When did you realize that you were faster and stronger than most of your male friends?
"At the end of 11th grade, after a year when I trained a lot, we were tested. Pullups, pushups, and more. I was better than most of my friends, and then I understood that I was at least their equal. It was all because of my hard work, determination, and persistence."
As of now, Lidani is slated to serve in a combat role in the Artillery Corps. Many motivated women would be satisfied with that slot. Lidani is not. The unit she wants to join is Duvdevan.
"From a young age I wanted to serve there, and when I saw Fauda, the desire just grew stronger. What attracts me is the use of technique and not just physical force. It's a mental challenge that demands shrewdness and it's not just [about] who hits the hardest. I have physical strength, but that's not what will decide if I succeed in operating among the Arab population and communicating with Arabs and am vital in the field."
Q: And if you wind up in the Artillery Corps?
"Then I'll give it my all. My motivation won't go down."
Lidani's mother, Sarit, says she thinks the military should take advantage of these women's potential.
"Mor is a girl with limitless capabilities. She should experience what she wants," Sarit says.
Q: And if her petition is accepted and she becomes a fighter in an elite unit – how will you feel?
"There is fear, but a mother whose son enlists is also afraid. I also went through that with my oldest daughter, Chen, who served in a combat role in the Border Police."
'Heterogeneous personnel is an advantage'
The fourth petitioner, Nishri, comes from a Shayetet family. Her childhood was filled with stories about the unit's courage and heroism.
"From the time I was small I was brought up to contribute to the nation in the most meaningful way I could, and I practiced that. I wanted to be like them and continue in their path. But in 12th grade I discovered that I couldn't go to tryouts for Shayetet."
Q: How did you find out?
"It was at the end of the week when boys around me were receiving summonses for tryouts, and I didn't understand why I wasn't. I called the information line for new recruits, and they told me 'It's not an option for women.' Until then, I'd been sure that there were no women in the Shayetet because no woman had made the cut. I didn't know it wasn't an option for me.
"It was awful. I didn't understand how that could be the case in 2020, 25 years after Alice Miller's High Court petition. I didn't realize how far behind we were stuck. I trained with my relatives who served in the Shayetet. I lifted weights just like they did, I crawled, I ran with heavy weights. So I don't think there's a difference."
When Nishri learned about Alice Miller in 12th grade, her way forward became clear.
"The moment they refused my request to enlist in the Shayetet, I knew what I had to do," she says.
"Twenty-five years ago, President Ezer Weizmann said the day women became pilots would be the day hair would grow on his palms. As of now, 56 female pilots have served in the IDF, it's something we're used to. And I say that's exactly how people will see women serving in commando units a few years from now," Nishri says.
'They took away our choice'
Q: Objectively, there are physiological differences between men and women. How do you respond to that argument?
Saria: "Obviously, there are differences, but any woman who trains and prepares herself can make all the cuts. Today women are barred even from trying out. We are four, but I believe there are a lot more girls who want to [serve] but simply don't think it's possible."
Lidani: "They took away our choice. They decided for us that we aren't capable. I'm sure that if the IDF allows women into elite units today, there will be 200-300 candidates who will want to demonstrate their best. And there are girls whose best is enough to make it into elite units."
Kliger: "We're here for the girls who will come after us, and for the little girls, so they can understand that they can dream of being combat fighters and fulfill that dream. Equal opportunities in the army will affect equal opportunities in civilian life and change people's thinking in all areas of life."
Lidani: "I hope we'll break the glass ceiling and create an important public discourse. I believe that there should be a woman in Duvdevan, and if it's not me, then my daughter."
Q: How do you respond to people who think that bringing women into special units will affect the dynamic?
Lidani is irritated at the question. "I'm surprised it's even a discussion. What is a 'male' dynamic? There won't be a dynamic of women, either – there will be a dynamic of human beings. I think that a man who can't be good enough next to a woman who is as good as he is isn't enough of a man. We need to change the way the IDF perceives women, and that will influence how women are seen in general. We have a generation of women who are capable, and the next generation will know that it's possible."
Q: In field units, there isn't always a possibility of separate quarters for men and women.
Saria: "There is no problem with separation in any permanent quarters. Most of your service is spent in places with well-ordered, permanent quarters. It might require a little effort from the army, but it's not complicated, and it would be done once.
"In the field, there's no problem at all sleeping in the same quarters, as long as the rules are clear and everyone knows them and follows them. It's no different from what happens in youth movements or prep program field trips."
Q: What about sexual harassment?
Nishri: "Why punish us for other people's problems? There are harassers everywhere, and the problem needs to be solved where it occurs, without excluding half the population because of it."
Q: Rabbis have spoken out against drafting women into combat roles. What is your response?
Lidani: "Just because women serving alongside religious men presents some difficulty doesn't mean that we need to discriminate against half the population. It's the army's responsibility, as the army of the people, to find solutions and not give up on all women because they present a challenge. At first, there will be problems, but people will get used to it very quickly. Just like there are religious pilots alongside female pilots and religious male naval officers alongside female commanders.
"We're all people, so we'll sleep next to each other and realize that gender isn't so important. In war, I won't be thinking about whether it's a man or a woman beside me. I'll be thinking about what kind of soldier she is or he is, and how they'll protect me and how I'll protect them."
Kliger: "I respect everyone's faith, especially that of observant soldiers, who enlist and contribute. I think most of them manage to serve with women without any problem."
'Aware of all the risks'
After the story of their petition was covered in the media, Lidani received dozens of responses on social media. A lot of them expressed doubt about the women's ability to serve in commando units.
"There were comments like, 'Wow, you're really determined, good for you, but you'll never make it into a special unit, keep dreaming.' There were comments from male soldiers who said they didn't think a woman could handle the training, or some who wrote [things like] 'I don't think a woman can carry 80 kg [176 lb.].'
"But there was one response I'll never forget from a fighter in a Nahal patrol unit. He said, 'I talked about it with my team and I think there's nothing we do that a woman can't do.' It really surprised me," she says.
Nishri: "I got a lot of responses like 'Thank you, this should have happened a long time ago,' 'You're determined and amazing,' and 'This is something that will change how Israeli society perceives women.' There were less pleasant comments, like 'It will cost the government a lot and won't be worth it,' or 'You won't do it, it's a waste of time.'"
Q: What will happen if you're taken captive?
Lidani points out that both the Shin Bet security agency and the Mossad recruit women for service behind enemy lines.
"We have pilots and naval officers who cross borders all the time, and they can be taken captive, too. So what's the difference? Why isn't my guy friend who wants to join the Shayetet, asked the same question? Why isn't that a burning issue? What superpower does he have, that I don't?
"I know there's this twisted perception that a woman's sexuality could be maneuvered, but the same thing could happen to a man. Men can also be raped in captivity. As for the question of whom it hurts more, who suffered more and who is worse off in captivity, it's absurd. Everyone suffers while captive. The decision as to whether I'm in a special unit shouldn't be decided based on the chance I might get captured," Lidani declares.
Saria: "We're aware of all the dangers we're taking on, whether it's captivity or something else."
Lidani: "I didn't respond to everyone… I just tell people, 'You don't know what I'm capable of. Test me."
Interestingly, all four say that most of the negative comments about their aspirations came from women.
"Women are the biggest chauvinists. It happens because from a young age, they absorb the social idea that women can't do it," one says.
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Nishri is optimistic that the High Court will accept their petition, allowing her to fulfill her dream. Lidani thinks that she might be given a glimpse of the "promised land," but not be allowed to enter it, because High Court processes can drag out.
"I don't think it will happen for us," she says sadly. "It's more likely that few more petitions will be filed before things change. I imagine that women will be invited to try out for commando units in 2024," she says.
Either way, all four see themselves as officers and commanders of field units 10 years from now.
"I see myself reaching the upper ranks of the IDF," says Lidani, "but from there I want to go on to civilian Israeli life. My direction is social action, and my dream is to become a judge. I see the court as the place where society is changed for the better."
