Major Yossi Levy will soon assume a new position and make history, becoming the first haredi battalion commander in the IDF.

In his civilian life, Levy is CEO of the Netzah Yehuda Organization, he recruits members of his community to the IDF and is responsible for promoting haredi combat soldiers.

In a special interview with Kan News, Levy talks about his disappointment with the war's haredi recruitment figures, his fear of social conflict, and his hope that one day young haredi men will be able to see him as a role model.

Levy explained, “I am on my fifth round of reserve duty. I started out doing a battalion commanders’ course, and my wife counts that as another round of service. I am going to head an IDF battalion, seems that I am the only haredi battalion commander, but hopefully the first of many.”

“I was called up on the morning of October 7th. It’s very difficult to bring soldiers for another round of reserve duty, when there are those who have done nothing. I am trying to bring more soldiers, to help the ones who have served so much. It’s a financial calculation as well,” he adds.

“At the outbreak of the war there was a high level of support for the IDF – haredim said to me, ‘We’re with you, we support you, we’re praying for you, we bring food for the soldiers. At the beginning of the war, many drafted.”

“We need a major change in attitude. Netzach Yehuda has been successful over the years, but we haven’t managed to make a big change in recruitment numbers and that is what we need now,” Levy concluded.

Watch the Hebrew video, courtesy of Kan News: