By Vered Weiss, The Media Line

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir marked the final night of Chanukah on Sunday by lighting the eighth candle alongside soldiers from the Hasmonean Brigade, the Israel Defense Forces’ first ultra-Orthodox combat unit, highlighting the integration of Haredi soldiers into frontline service.

Speaking to the troops, Zamir compared the brigade to the ancient Jewish fighters commemorated during the holiday. “You are the Maccabees of our time – defending the people of Israel while maintaining a Haredi way of life,” he said, calling the unit “an example of fighting spirit and mutual responsibility.”

The Hasmonean Brigade began drafting its first soldiers in January, representing a significant development amid ongoing debates over military service by ultra-Orthodox men.

Zamir framed the unit as reflecting the full spectrum of Israeli society.

“The IDF is the people’s army, and it has a duty to be open to all segments of the population,” he told the soldiers, stressing that manpower challenges and future security threats require broader participation. He said the military is actively expanding recruitment efforts within the Haredi community to strengthen operational readiness.

According to Zamir, Israel’s security depends on sustaining a force that is both large enough and prepared for emerging challenges. “The military is working to expand the ranks of the army and to recruit Haredim in order to ensure our readiness in the face of future challenges,” he said, warning that Israel “cannot exist without a strong, alert and capable army.”

He emphasized that the establishment of the Hasmonean Brigade demonstrates that religious observance and combat service are not mutually exclusive. “You are proof that it is possible to safeguard the State of Israel and the Torah of Israel together,” Zamir said.