IsraelCast Episode 77

This week on IsraelCast, host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Lt. Col. Oshrat Bachar, the first female combat-battalion commander in the Israel Defense Forces. Lt. Col. Bachar now serves as the commander in charge of gender equality in the IDF, where she has assisted in efforts to integrate women, shape sexual harassment strategy, and change the narrative for LGBTQ soldiers. Tune in to learn about gender in the IDF and what other international armies can learn from Israel.

In 2016, Lt. Col. Bachar became the IDF’s Deputy Advisor to the Chief of the General Staff on Gender Affairs. For this role, she handles gender equality and treatment of soldiers who have been sexually harassed. Furthermore, she represents the IDF in Knesset discussions in all areas related to gender affairs and was the Commander of the department in charge of integrating women into the IDF.