Jerusalem – Israel’s vice premier is pessimistic about finding a formula to obligate ultra-Orthodox Jews to serve in the military before a court-determined Aug. 1 deadline.
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Moshe Yaalon said failure could endanger Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government.
The current law largely exempts ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service. That infuriates many Israelis, since almost all are required to serve. Israel’s Supreme Court ruled the law must be revised.
Yaalon, a former military chief, is from Netanyahu’s Likud Party.
Netanyahu’s largest coalition partner, Kadima, is threatening to quit the government if an agreement on universal conscription is not reached by next week.
Kadima and Likud parties disagree over whether the ultra-Orthodox should face sanctions if they refuse to serve.
Yaalon said Thursday that such punishments would amount to “declaring war” on ultra-Orthodox youngsters.
It is clear to anyone who has Torah that the groups that want an exemption from service are NOT FOLLOWING TORAH AT ALL.
Reply to 1: perhaps the secular Israelis might make the first overtures by committing to share the burden of Torah study.
if the charadim believe that torah study alone protects. may i suggest next time hashem yirachem there is a war. charadim dont get gas masks or protection from soldiers…perhpas if they are injured they should get care as well as torah protects…ect…