re: #157 The Vicious Babushka

I also remember the Nahal Haredi experiment of 20 years ago. The IDF created a special battalion for ultra-Orthodox soldiers where they would have no female officers or comrades, get fed B’Datz kosher food, etc. My son enlisted in this battalion and it was a very good experience for him.

The reason it was a failure: the Haredi were not particularly politically oriented. The Nahal Haredi exposed them to political ideas, unfortunately many became extremely right-wing (in addition to their religiosity).

Making special accommodations for diet is fine — but confirming soldiers in their ideas about the appropriate place for women is detrimental to the well-being of a functioning democracy. How is that is any different from the United States having special battalions of white Southerners who would not have African-American comrades or officers?