Just as the ultra-Orthodox should serve in the IDF and the secular should learn Torah and do mitzvot.

For too long now , Israel has taken the wrong road : that of mixing religion with the state affairs. Running a democratic country means that one has to remain entirely secular. Religion is a matter of personal faith. European countries have understood this long ago. One has also to realize the unfairness of not drafting Orthodox Jews when all other are serving to defend everybody. Religion must not be an excuse to escape one's duty to their country. In the Biblical times, everybody fought. So why would these people be exempted ? Simply because they hide behind religion ? The entire concept of governing the country must be reviewed. Religion is of course acceptable but not in the government affairs. Religion may bring extreme passions detrimental to most. Recent exemples clearly go in that direction.

These are two different subjects. Even if there were complete separation of religion and state the Charedim would still have the same religious objections to serving. How may chareidi Jews serve in the US or in European armies? In fact the lack of proper kosher food (and the situation is also pretty bad in Israel) gives them a very legitimate reason not to serve. The Nahal solution may work, but as long as Arabs have an exemption the Chareidim have a good point in asking for one too. Also you are wrong on one very important point. A Jewish democratic state will not be neutral (not the same as secular) to religion. It will show respect to Jewish belief and practice will not enforcing it on those who do not want it.

Even for those who say that in the old time all Jews went to the army, what they are saying is not 100% true. Four kinds of people did not go to the army women, people in the first year of marriage, weren’t afraid of their sins, and were younger the 20 or older then 40. The men who didn’t go to the army stayed home and learned the holy torah, and prayed that g-d should help the people are fighting the war win the war. So I ask again who is going to learn and pray if the ultra orthodox go to the army?