JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Shmili Yekater, a 21-year-old from Bnei Brak who previously served as a food critic on I24 news, enlisted yesterday in the Chashmonaim Brigade after serving 12 days in military prison.
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“In the past, I used to say, ‘We’ll die before we enlist,’ Yekater said. “But when the war started, I wanted to contribute, and I realized that in order to enlist, I had to go to prison. It was the first time I cried on Memorial Day — the prison prepared me for the army.”
In a post shared on Instagram, Shmili opened up about his feelings:
“Today it happened. After an unusual journey, mistakes I chose to correct, and a difficult period that also included imprisonment — I officially enlisted in the IDF today.”
He continued:
“It’s not something to take for granted. I’m proud to join the Chashmonaim Brigade, proud to wear the IDF uniform, proud to serve my country. Days of hardship made me stronger — and this is just the beginning.”
Shmili Yekater entering the base with Major Muli Boimel, who accompanied him through the process
After Yekater’s arrest, the IDF spokesperson stated:
“The conscript has been held in military prison since April 23, 2025, due to allegedly being absent from military service without authorization for over 650 days. His detention was extended by the military district court until May 4, 2025.”
They further added:
“On April 24, 2025, he was referred — at his request — for an assessment regarding eligibility for reintegration and medical profiling. If found suitable, he will be released from detention under the condition that he commits to serving in the IDF. If he fulfills the conditions for one year, he will not have a criminal record, nor will he face further imprisonment. The IDF encourages absentees to return to service and places significant emphasis on this in determining how their case is handled.”
One should never think that learning Torah is not contributing.
Any laws and results of the democratic elections are truly respected only when there’s an implied possibility of violence if your rights are blatantly violated — “rule of law” is just a word if you are a soft target, we live in the jungle — that is the unfortunate truth. Hence, arming up the chareidi community is a must if we wish not be bullied by the chiloni elites.
Hatzlacha ! Bravo !
As a Foodie, he wasn’t learning full time. No heter Torato uManato not to serve.
Love how the media floats anyone with payos or a kippa as “charedi” as if some food blogger turned Soldier in training is actually an example of one. Haha good one. This is meant to fool all the idiots which there are many into thinking that it’s possible to serve in the Army and still maintain the lifestyle. As if this guy is any example of what the serious learners are doing with their time! Comparing apples to cucumbers
This is his decision and will live or die by it
But service isn’t the worst thing either
hoydi lshem ki tov. May this usher in an age of teshuva where our people start to become shomrei torah umitzvos including the mitzvah of joining a milchemes mitzvah.
Without a childhood background in team sports, use of technology, and other skills required to conduct missions and operations, how can a boy who was insulated his entire life suddenly be expected to become a fully functioning soldier even with a training program?
Now we see the gezeiras Giyus is REAL. true he wasn’t toirasoi umnasoi, but why should anyone join an army of atheists? I will join the “milchemes mitzva” when the generals are reb chaim oizer and the chofetz Chaim, not some frayeh people who are openly moired bahashem vtoirasoi. Not to mention how the admirals put politics before Jewish blood. No way should any shoimer toira umitzvos join the army.