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1993Society

The IDF lifts its remaining restrictions on gay and lesbian soldiers.

In June 1993 the army repeals the limits left in a 1983 order, after Knesset hearings earlier that year.

The story in numbers.

Here is how it happened.

  • 1983

    The IDF writes its first official order on the subject.

    Soldiers are not to be limited in their positions or discharged solely because of their sexual orientation. The order still bars them from top secret and intelligence positions.

    SourceArmed Forces & Society

  • February 1993

    The Knesset holds its first hearings on the issue.

    Professor Uzi Even testifies that he lost his officer rank and access to sensitive research, and the testimony causes a public storm. Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin says he sees no reason to discriminate and calls for a military committee.

    SourceArmed Forces & Society

  • 1993

    A military committee rewrites the order.

    The amendments recognise that homosexuals are entitled to serve like others, judged by the criteria that apply to all candidates. A possible security risk is handled case by case.

    SourceArmed Forces & Society

  • June 1993

    The remaining restrictions are repealed without upheaval.

    A researcher at the Israeli Institute for Military Studies notes the relative smoothness with which the repeal is received in the IDF and in Israeli society.

    SourceArmed Forces & Society

  • 2001

    Researchers find that the change did not undermine performance.

    They find no evidence of harm to cohesion, readiness or morale. They also find that full integration lagged behind the policy.

    SourceArmed Forces & Society

1 of 5

Here is why it matters.

A study eight years later found no evidence that the change hurt performance, cohesion, readiness or morale. It also found that equal treatment in daily practice took longer than the written policy.

Three more milestones to read next.

  • The Supreme Court building in Jerusalem, where the High Court of Justice sits

    2006

    Israel's High Court orders the state to register same-sex marriages performed abroad.

    Read the story

  • A portrait of Justice Salim Joubran

    2004

    Salim Joubran becomes Israel's first Arab justice with a permanent Supreme Court seat.

    Read the story

  • Members of the First Knesset in session in 1949, many with raised hands

    1949

    Arab citizens vote in Israel's first Knesset election.

    Read the story

Where each fact was read.

Sources read on 1 November 2026.