Encyclopedia - Collective Entities - C




CHEN. CHEN is an abbreviation of Cheil Nashim, "Women's Corps". The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) formally inaugurated CHEN in the Defense Service Law of September 8, 1949, which broadly defined the regulations of conscription of Jewish women into the army. At present military service is compulsory and single women must enlist when they reach the age of 18. Married women, mothers and religious women are exempted. The initial period of conscription was 24 months, but it was eventually reduced to 20 months. Reserve service is obligatory for childless women up to age 34; in actuality, most women are exempted.

The involvement of Jewish women in military organizations dates back to pre-state Israel. From the early days of the 20th century, women participated in military groups such as Bar-Giora, Hashomer, Gedud Ha'avoda, Haganah, Etzel, Nili and the Palmach (various underground Jewish military organizations, 1904-1949). When these secret military organizations joined the IDF, women lost all combatant roles which they had earlier shared with their male comrades. This was the result of three major socio-political factors: 1) Female soldiers who served during WWII in the British ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Services) and later joined CHEN outnumbered the former female members of the Palmach who would have retained a combat role; 2) The religious parties in the coalition fiercely opposed women's conscription for moral reasons; and 3) Gender inequalities in Israeli society were reflected in the Israeli army. Once the Israeli army was formed, a decision was made to establish a separate jurisdictional unit for women. This unit, CHEN, supervises the introductory training of female recruits, female officer training and oversees judicial issues pertaining to female soldiers.

Upon conscription a woman undergoes basic training run by CHEN that continues from one to three months, depending on her assigned vocation. She is then transferred to her assigned unit. From then on she is supervised by the general military units. Traditionally, women serve in clerical and secretarial positions, technical and mechanical trades, educational and cultural positions, and operational non-combatant roles. These may vary periodically according to existing military needs.

CHEN's chief of command is a member of the General Staff. In 1949, the rank of the commander of the Women's Corps began as colonel but has since changed to Brigadier General (1986). This officer offers her recommendations in matters regarding women, such as housing, health and training, to the Chief of Staff. A chief officer of CHEN serves in each military unit and sees that these recommendations are followed.

According to the latest figures (1988), women still serve in less than 40% of the general military jobs. However, this trend flunctuate intermittently. In several jobs such as instructor in the tank unit, the female soldier is now allowed to join her male trainees in the field, and just recently (March 1997) for the first time since its establishment, IDF inaugurated joint basic training for men and women. However, this training period was reported to have been easy and relatively short. Women also serve in the career army (Kevah), where egalitarianism is more often enforced.

Compulsory military service is regarded by Israelis as a period in life when adolescents become adults, and as a melting pot for both men and women from different backgrounds. Research indicates that among women there is a significant correlation between background and military status. It is also reported that the military experience influences the developmental course of young women, altering their demeanor and self-image. Women who serve in the army demonstrate an increase in self-confidence and seem to aspire for a professional career after their discharge. Non-servers, on the other hand, cling to traditional roles and have lower self-esteem.

The popular image of an Israeli female soldier holding a machine-gun in her arms is an exaggeration. Though female soldiers enhance the character of the IDF, they never really had any combatant role.

--Dina Ripsman Eylon




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