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Last update - 06:03 21/05/2008 Haredi Nahal soldiers to serve in Jenin for first time By Yuval Azoulay Tags: IDF, Israel, Ultra-Orthodox GOC Central Command Major General Gadi Shamni announced recently that soldiers in the ultra-Orthodox battalion of the Nahal infantry brigade, a branch of the Israel Defense Forces which combines military and voluntary civilian service, would soon begin defending the Jenin line. This is the first time soldiers in the battalion will engage in operational activities in this area. Since the battalion was created, nine years ago, its soldiers have served only in the Jordan Valley. Many times in the past, and especially during the second intifada, many members of the Netzah Yehuda battalion, expressed a desire to serve on a more dynamic and challenging front, but their requests were rejected. Yet during their ongoing activities in the Jordan Valley, soldiers in the battalion successfully thwarted numerous smuggling and terror attempts. Shamni visited the battalion last week to witness the soldiers' achievements at close range and to observe them in training exercises supervised by the Kfir brigade. This came in response to recent evidence of the soldiers' professional mettle - they even took first place in a target practice and marksmanship competition among IDF combat units. In his discussion with the soldiers, Shamni informed them that in a number of months, after completing a series of scheduled training exercises, they would be transferred to the Jenin area, where they would hold the line. Advertisement Members of the GOC Central Command explain this move bears witness to their level of training and the extent to which they have earned the general's esteem. "After nine years, we can say with great satisfaction that the battalion is capable of implementing any combat mission which it is asked to carry out. The people of Israel can be proud of these soldiers," Rabbi Tzvi Klebanow, director of the Netzah Yehuda Nahal nonprofit yesterday. The battalion enlists ultra-Orthodox youth who are not studying in yeshivas. About 2,500 young ultra-Orthodox men have enlisted in the battalion to date, and members of the IDF human resources department recently said they intend to open another battalion in 2010 to meet the growing demand of ultra-Orthodox youth to serve in a battalion of this type. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Say what you want French court: Claim that Al-Dura tape doctored isn`t libelous. Peace in our time Olmert: Peace talks with Syria are a 'national duty'.   1.   Religious v. Secular 07:12  |  paul almond 21/05/08   2.   Haredi Soldiers 07:50  |  Rene 21/05/08   3.   The Land of Israel is the home of all Jews. 08:19  |  Jean Van Daem 21/05/08   4.   "who are not studying in yeshivas" 08:22  |  Yonatan 21/05/08   5.   Baruch Hashem they get the credit 08:33  |  VICTOR 21/05/08   6.   Good for them well done 10:23  |  SJ 21/05/08   7.   A great example to all 12:55  |  J 21/05/08   8.   Is Jenin the right place for ultra-orthodox? 17:16  |  Silvienne 21/05/08   9.   killing and occupying in the name of god 18:35  |  cristina 21/05/08   10.   Cristina #9. The Teeny Tiny land belongs to the Jews 19:44  |  JJ 21/05/08   11.   So JJ 21:30  |  Dave Duncan 21/05/08   12.   Dave Duncan 22:58  |  Alain 21/05/08   13.   Alain--not at all 00:36  |  Dave Duncan 22/05/08   14.   David Duncan (1) 01:58  |  JJ 22/05/08   15.   JJs God squad 02:01  |  Sean 22/05/08   16.   David Duncan (2) 02:09  |  JJ 22/05/08   17.   GO JJ 02:18  |  will 22/05/08   18.   David Dunkin (3) 02:19  |  JJ 22/05/08   19.   Sean. Your post is full of ass-umptions. 03:22  |  JJ 22/05/08   20.   #8,JeninMassacre BloodLibel Dismissed by Internat`l Investigation 04:27  |  Straight Talk 22/05/08   21.   JJs gods 11:28  |  Sean 22/05/08   22.   Seans ignorance is supreme. 18:39  |  JJ 23/05/08

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