The IDF is trying to persuade high school girls to enlist in the army despite the exemptions they received for religious reasons, Kol B’Ramah reported on Sunday evening. According to the report, the IDF sent numerous SMS messages to religious and Charedi high school girls who had obtained exemptions, offering them to enlist. The girls reported that they receive dozens of messages a year, mainly with offers to serve in the Air Force and the Communications Corps. “We offer you to take another look at service in the IDF. If you are interested in us contacting you (without giving up the exemption you hold), you can fill out this survey,” some of the messages read. Another message from the army stated: “We invite you to take another look at service in the IDF, with an emphasis on positions in the Communications and Cyber Defense Division.” Some of the girls who reported the phenomenon study at Chabad mosdos that are officially in the state-religious stream, although in practice they are Charedi institutions in every respect. Many other girls are from the Dati-Leumi sector. Parents of girls who received the messages told Kol Barama that “this is chutzpah and harassment. If they sent one message, fine, but it’s one message every few weeks. The IDF’s conduct does not respect the sector.” The IDF did not deny the claims, reponding: “These are messages sent to women from the state-religious education system, according to the Ministry of Education’s records, where many of them are interested in the various tracks available in the IDF that are compatible with their lifestyle. It should be emphasized that this is merely an accessibility measure, without any obligation. The IDF is working to allow a wide range of populations to enlist and serve in a worthy manner that suits their lifestyle, including those who have received an exemption or are not required to enlist at all.” Earlier this month, Yesh Atid MK Shelly Tal Meron called for the enlistment of Chareidi girls to the IDF along with bnei yeshivos. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)