IDF Female Soldiers Mandated to Wear Long Pants During Record Heat at Jerusalem Race

Female soldiers reportedly forced into long pants for Jerusalem run during heatwave as IDF faces new allegations of religious coercion.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 19, 2026, 5:45 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Times of Israel

Differential Dress Requirements Amid Rising Temperatures

Female members of the Israel Defense Forces were reportedly instructed to compete in long trousers during a five kilometer run in Jerusalem, contrasting sharply with the attire permitted for male soldiers. According to Channel 12, while male participants utilized standard athletic shorts, the female soldiers were subjected to a more restrictive dress mandate despite the intense physical demands of the event. This discrepancy has drawn sharp criticism from families of the service members, who suggest that the requirement was an unprotested but evident infringement on the rights of female personnel.

Extreme Weather Forces Marathon Scale Back

The athletic event took place under the broader umbrella of the Jerusalem Marathon, though organizers were forced to significantly alter the day's programming due to environmental hazards. Faced with a forecast of a severe heatwave and dangerously high air pollution levels, officials opted to cancel the full marathon portion of the race. Despite these sweltering conditions and the heightened risk of heat related illness, the female soldiers involved in the shorter five kilometer segment remained bound by the requirement to wear full length clothing.

Allegations of Modesty Standards and Religious Coercion

The imposition of long clothing on female runners has been characterized by some observers as an act of religious coercion within the military framework. One mother of a participating soldier noted that her daughter and peers have become accustomed to a reality where their rights differ from male soldiers under the guise of modesty requirements. This incident reflects a growing tension regarding how religious standards are enforced upon secular or female personnel, with critics arguing that such mandates are being treated as a given in the current military culture.