The Netzah Yehuda Battalion (also called Nahal Haredi) is a special infantry unit in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Background and Formation

Established in 1999 to allow ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jewish men to serve in the IDF while maintaining their strict religious lifestyle.

Its name “Netzah Yehuda” means “Eternal Judah”.

Originally part of the Nahal Brigade, later it became an independent battalion.

Purpose

Many ultra-Orthodox Jews had previously avoided military service due to conflicts with religious obligations.

The unit was designed to accommodate their needs, such as:

Strict adherence to kosher dietary laws.

Daily Torah study and prayers.

Separation from female soldiers to maintain religious modesty rules.

Composition

Primarily made up of Haredi recruits, though some nationalist religious and even secular soldiers have also served.

The battalion became a symbol of integrating religious communities into Israel’s defense system.

Deployment

Netzah Yehuda has been deployed mainly in the West Bank, where it carried out counterterrorism and security operations.

It has gained a reputation as a combat-ready and motivated force.

Controversies

Over the years, the battalion has faced criticism for alleged misconduct and human rights violations, particularly in the West Bank.

In 2022, the death of a Palestinian-American man, Omar Assad, while in their custody, drew international attention and condemnation.

These incidents led to debates about discipline, oversight, and accountability in the unit.

Recent Developments

In 2023, the IDF announced that Netzah Yehuda would be relocated from the West Bank to northern Israel, partly in response to international criticism.

The move aimed to reduce friction with Palestinian civilians while still utilizing the battalion’s manpower.Source:https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/israel-netzah-yehuda-batallion-10117845/