During World War II, I did not enlist in the army, I was drafted. What is this business of choosing "not to enlist". And if 56% of Israelis are draft dodgers, Israel has a bigger problem than its lousy government and Arab enemies.

prosecuted, taken off the israeli passport and sent to one of our enemy countries surrounding us, they will then be allowed to do with them what ever they want. sounds good? then let's do it.

Pretty soon no more Israelis will want to go into the army and israel's army will be made up entirely of young people from the diaspora. definitely a sad day when israelis start refusing to protect themselves...

Chalfon's son is almost finished his high school studies and is debating whether to enlist to the Israel Navy or compulsory service in the Police Force for example...

The country is going to the dogs; doesn't today's youth realize that without an occupation army Israel might, chas vehalil, have to make peace.

56% including Israeli Arabs....so how large is the Jewish part of this number ?

Israel needs a drastic change in leadership. The government restricts the army from actually protecting the country in order to appease the international community. As a result, Israeli youth feel that their service would be futile as it is in service of a limp government. Israel needs a leader that can bring back a sense of pride, confidence and purpose to the Israeli youth. The Israeli military used to be respected for its effectiveness and creativity. Now the military is being too restricted to reach its full potential. The Israeli government needs to realize that most non-Jews in the diaspora don't like Israel regardless of its actions. Any given military campaign or concession in the name of peace does very little to change the perspective of the people. Israel must start protecting its best interests above all else. As a Jew in the diaspora it saddens me immensely to see Israel being lead by a group of weak and corrupt politicians who focus more on their political survival than the welfare of the country. It is an injustice to the Israeli people and to Jews around the world.

1. We are surrounded by a sea of sharks who openly spew their hatred towards us on a daily basis and who openly admit wanting to destroy our very being. 2. We have been fighting for our basic right to be recognized since 1948. 3. We have been fighting for our basic right to survive since 1948. 4. Our sister city-SDEROT- is under fire 24/7 and our brethren are subjected to near death and/or death continuously. 5. Our PM is selling us down the river with his secret political dealings. AND YOU draft dodgers are encouraging others to do as you do. What a sick bunch of leftists you are. You do not deserve the ID you possession, you do not deserve an Israeli passport, you do not deserve to be part and parcel of a country that is the success story of the 20th. century.

Dodge the army then dodge an opportunity to work in Israel. Now that would be a contribution to Israeli society. Getting rid of people like these.

Ignore #5,she is a fake. Israel needs a strong army,and this group the New Profile movement should be tried for treason.

Don't get disillusioned by the cynical Israelis. 2nd, while I think it is legitimate that some people might not want to serve in a combat unit, there are literally thousands of jobs in the army--which is the accepted framework for serving Israel--that can be done, along with National Service (which is not only for girls). The boy who is a student social activist could have used his talents in the IDF Spokesperson's office or some other office that could use his verbal talents. If we actually asked him--and not his mother--I'd wager that he just didn't want to "waste" 3 years of his life in the army. Now he can contribute to his country as long as it is convenient. 3rd, army connections have historically been part of the framework of social connections in Israel. Not serving creates a schism in society of those who do and those who don't. If they want to change society, then change society, don't encourage damage from within by splitting society. Lastly, until Kassams stop raining on Sderot and Katyushas are not aimed at Israel, Iran stops threatening to wipe us off the map and we don't worry about terrorist attacks, then yes, we live in a soldiers' country.

These are acts of treason! many might not think so but it actually is. the country is a continued state of war and to act like this during war time is treason. what needs to be done? well root them out and publish their names publicly so that we all know who they are! once this is found out then they themselves should be treated as draft dodgers, no state funding. unemployment etc. then see how they like it.

The 56% I suspect includes as stated Arabs, Haredi, women and others with reasonable excuses for not serving. The number of actual draft dodgers varies depending on which study and in one I saw was as a low as 6%, whilst others state it is more. I guess it depends on the reason for discharge and a "genuine" reason can be subjective. Whatever there is no shortage of personnel. Many immigrants who are "too old" ie 30 + but would like to serve, are turned away

No 8 well said

I was and still am against occupation. It brought us the situation we facing now: 1. occupation army with all the consequences 2. indefensible settlements/borders 3. no or diminishing consensus amongst the citizens 4. IDF loosing its primary task of protecting the state of Israel . A constant state of preemptive warfare outside the compound is not a widely accepted way of "protecting" Israel. Having said that, we are not in a situation in which we can use civil disobedience as a democratic tool for showing our disagreement with government policies. That was possible during the 60ies and 70ies in the US against the Vietnam war as it was not a war that decided if the US would continue to exist the next day. Our war is a justified war against terrorists and forces that want to annihilate our state and very likely, everyone in it, if no army would stop them. Too many examples exist of what they would do if. Just look what they are doing in Lebanon...... If a person does not want to serve his country by military means, he should do civil service. If the majority of the Israeli population would agree that "no military service" is the best way to achieve piece, then the Knesset would have had a "Shalom Now" PM and cabinet long ago...... I believe that the Israeli population by large is not willing to be the guinea pig of some theoretical conceptions that the road to peace is paved by "dodging the army". It shows however, that the government should start to think seriously how to SOLVE the current situation by some creative and positive thinking. First we have to restore our military might in such an unmistakable way that leaves no question marks about future consequences of aggressive actions against our sovereignty. Then we can negotiate with whomever wants to make peace with us. In that respect the settlements are indeed an obstacle as is our indecisiveness to act against Kassams and Mortar Shells that are hurling daily on Israeli soil for many years ......

I served in the IDF as a lone soldier and never regretted it.There were some really tough times,like having no family to go to on week ends and holidays.But still no regrets.What I learned whilst serving will last me a lifetime. Israeli's who refuse to serve should be shunned,and shamed. In my eyes they are lower than a snake.

what's 'new' is to be proud of avoiding ones duty...do these 'useful idiots' argue one should not benefit from the service of others 'without thinking'--sounds cowardly to me.

for those bastards in jerusalem?? and what about theyre sons who dodged the draft? the army is not good enough for their sons but good for ours?

You and others like you deserve admiration and respect. I only wish the IDF had a place for those of us who wish to serve and have valuable and useful skills but who are beyond the recruitment age.

... regardless of religion, sex or race. If suitably physically and mentally fit, serving in the IDF is an unequivocal proof of loyalty to the country and your fellow citizens. If anybody thinks he/she is above that loyalty, then better find a position with a less patriotic company.

and I didn't have to! due to prior military service and age I only needed to do a year and a half but I carried on.... anyone says I'm living as a traitor can meet me in TA next month when I move home......

"And we all desperately need it. We are tired of fighting, we are tired of being courageous, we are tired of winning, we are tired of defeating our enemies, we want that we will be able to live in an entirely different environment of relations with our enemies. We want them to be our friends, our partners, our good neighbors." Read more: http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/2005/06/ehud-olmert-on-the-gaza-withdrawal-a-dreamy.html

As one who in 1961 came to Israel to join Machal and later did miluim until the age of 51, I think that the draft dodgers should be given the choice, do army time or spend the time in jail.

You all deserve what you get. You are just like my relatives who keep sayingwe are first Germans and the bad times will pass. They said it all the way to the gas chambers. Parents who fear for their children must believe that those who survived and whose grandchildren, in my case five, have on our scars learned one bitter and hard bare fact. Better to die with a gun in my hand then as a dreamer dying in a nightmare. If you have your way, when they come for us again, who will protect the failed peace seekers. You dream of peace, they prepare your nightmare.

i'm an israeli and i've served in the army. i was very young, and wanted to give back... i tried to dodge it but then did it willingfully, as i was lucky enough to find myself teaching hebrew in a school as my army- service proffession. now, on one hand i know that almost every country's got an army and that we need protection. however, the army also serves a mission of occupation, which is in my eyes horrendous. why go to the army and protect settlements which are illegal?? why serve on check- point within palestine?? na-ah. with all my wishes to give back, i'd rather give back in other areas, such as trying to stop the occupation and trying to get it into people's heads that there's a truely stupid and horrible situation going on here!! why does Olmert even bother saying that he wants a 2 state solution, while he still builds the settlements?? by the way, if you want to react on what i'm writing here just by telling me that i'm betraying my country, a traitor- don't even bother, it's too ridiculous. logical and concrete responses would be better.

The recent crackdown on "draft dodgers" (i.e. avoiders of slavery) will benefit the world as it should encourage more young people to emigrate from Israel to more civilized parts of the world. Go dodgers!