Israel appoints Col. Avinoam Emunah as senior adviser to boost haredi military enlistment.

On January 25, 2026, the IDF appointed Col. Avinoam Emunah, former commander of the Hashmonaim Brigade, as a senior adviser on haredi affairs to Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir. The new role, created to strengthen haredi enlistment, gives Emunah a broader mandate to shape policies and integration efforts for ultra-Orthodox Jews in the military. Emunah, who founded the Hashmonaim Brigade—a unit designed to allow haredi soldiers to serve while maintaining religious observance—will now influence recruitment, resource allocation, and strategic planning. The move reflects ongoing efforts to expand haredi participation in the IDF amid political and operational challenges.