Gay IDF soldiers holding hands. Photo: IDF.

The recent international Gay Pride celebrations have not skipped over the manliest of manly bastions in Israel, the Israel Defense Forces. On Monday, the IDF Spokesperson’s Office posted an illustrative photograph on its Facebook page of two male soldiers, ostensibly from combat units, holding hands under the headline: “It’s Pride Month. Did you know that the IDF treats all of its soldiers equally?”

Years have passed since the fictional characters, soldiers “Yossi” and “Jagger,” hit the Israeli silver screens in trailblazing fashion and, for the first time (albeit in a movie), depicted the army’s pride.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Office, meanwhile, says the IDF has embraced the gay and lesbian community and treats it with respect. As opposed to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” mantra that was prevalent in the United States military for years, the IDF has told everyone.