A new directive from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) came into effect this month, banning soldiers from growing beards unless they are granted permission to do so by their military rabbi, unit commander and the commander's adjutant. The decision was prompted by concerns that beard-growing was getting out of control and thus undermining military discipline and uniformity. The news of the directive sparked quite an uproar in Israel, giving rise to allegations of discrimination on the part of virtually every sector in the country. Hipsters, religious Zionists and the ultra-Orthodox have all rallied under a common banner, if only for the moment.
Members of the national religious sector, many of whom sport beards, protested that they were being discriminated against. They argue that the ultra-Orthodox are readily given permission to grow a beard, while they are required to obtain all sorts of approvals. Secular soldiers who grow a beard for personal reasons formed a Facebook group called "Free Will" just before the directive came into force, and went so far as to appeal to the Supreme Court Feb. 25, claiming that they were being discriminated against in favor of religious and ultra-Orthodox soldiers.
The ultra-Orthodox, who seem to fare better than the others as far as the ban goes, see the new directive from their own point of view. They argue that the ban on beard-growing in the military is further evidence that the IDF is not really interested in integrating them into the system. Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel, a religious Zionist member of HaBayit HaYehudi, has even appealed to Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, warning that the directive could undermine the recruitment of the ultra-Orthodox.
Why has beard-growing become such an emotionally charged issue in Israeli society?
AL-MONITOR All-Access gives you unlimited access to all our journalism, the full Daily Briefing, exclusive interviews, premium newsletters, and live events — for less than $2/week.
