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Introduction
For many years, women all over the world have experienced discrimination in all aspects of life, including serving their country. In Israel specifically, women were confined to working jobs that only supported men who served in the Israel Defense Force. It took many years for Israel to realize women in their country possessed great skills, which could aid in Israel's defense system. In this timeline, the obstacles faced by women in Israel to serve their country is represented. -
The First Arab-Isreali War- War for Independence
On May 26, 1948, The Israel Defense Force was created to defend Israel it's first war against Arab. The IDF required not only men, but also women who were childless (married or single) to enlist. Women during that time were not allowed in combat, but instead worked as nurses, cooks, drivers, and many more tasks that took care of those in combat.
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/a-critique-of-genesis-1948-the-first-arab-israeli-war/ -
The Second Arab-Israeli War-The Suez Crisis
Women's roles during the Suez Crisis still consisted of nursing and caring for those in combat, but had made small progressions. Women during the second Arab-Israeli War were then able to participate in the infantry and radio operations.
https://egyptianstreets.com/2018/11/17/8-photos-showing-powerful-egyptian-female-soldiers-in-suez-crisis/ -
First Female Military Court Judge is Appointed
In 1969, Hava Inbar was the first female to serve as a judge in not only the IDF military court, but in any military court in the world. This accomplishment by Inbar was not only considered a personal success, but a success to women all over the world. Women in the IDF had now obtained a judge to see them as equals in a system full of men.
http://beta.nli.org.il/he/archives/NNL_ARCHIVE_AL003997823/NLI -
First Female Bregadier-General
Amira Dotan served in the IDF for 23 years. By the late 1970's women were introduced to higher ranking jobs due to staff shortages. Dotan had worked hard to support women's rights in the IDF by becoming the head of the Women's Corps as well as becoming the first female brigadier-general, which at the time was the highest ranking of any women in the IDF.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/548524429588599240/?lp=true -
Israel Air Force Allows Female Cadets
In 1994, Alice Miller had sued the Israel Air Force due to gender-based discrimination that had prevented her from entering the Pilot Training Course. The Supreme Court ruled in favor that gender-based decisions are not allowed in the Israel Air Force, which then opened doors for many Israeli women to come after her.
https://www.idf.il/en/minisites/soldiers-of-the-idf/breaking-barriers-alice-miller-s-story/ -
Formation of the Caracal Company
The Caracal Company was formed in 1999 as the first infantry to allow both sexes in combat. Before the formation of the Caracal Company, women were not allowed to possess any position of combat in the Israel Defense Force. The Caracal Company was named after the caracal cat, which is characterized by the appearance of being gender neutral.
https://imgur.com/gallery/lOZBPsO -
The Caracal Battalion
One year after the formation of the Caracal Company, it then transitioned into the Caracal Battalion due to it's increase in size. This was a positive transition for gender equality in the Israel Defense Force, which allowed women to serve in direct combat. The battalion now consists of 70% of it's members being female.
http://www.israeltoday.co.il/NewsItem/tabid/178/nid/30556/Default.aspx -
Israel's First Female Combat Pilot Receives Wings
In 2001, Roni Zuckerman became the first female jet fighter pilot to receive her wings. Before 1995, women were denied the opportunity to become pilots, but Zuckerman had broken barriers with her accomplishments. Roni Zuckerman was the first female jet fighter pilot in Israel Defense Force history.
https://cija.ca/15-israeli-women-who-make-it-happen/ -
Israeli Army Officer Training is Integrated
Before the gender integration of the Israeli Army in 2003, men and women participated in separate training. Women also often required more extensive training time to perform at the same level as the men. Since the integration in 2003, men and women train together as well as staff. They are expected to train the same amount with equal skill sets.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/520869513145056724/ -
IDF's First Female Major General
Orna Barbivai was drafted into the Israel Defense Force in 1981, and has worked her way to the top ever since. She became the first woman to ever hold one, let alone several chief positions in the IDF. In 2011, Barbivai became the first female to hold the position of Manpower Directorate, as well as hold many Major General ranks. Her talent and dedication to the IDF has made history, and her achievements have not gone unnoticed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orna_Barbivai
