And what abt pseudo intellectuals, professors, writters, filmakers, journalists... who showd them the way ? They are more guilty and would not be punished !!

Shame on these usurpators of the word "refusnik" !!

What about the Arab occupation that threatens to either turn us all into Dhimmis again or ethnically cleanse the indigenous Jewish people from its historic homeland?

It is well known - 1. Soldier if kills a terrorist for self defence will still be questioned by court, and possibly jailed. 2. Soldier risks their life for arresting terrorist. Terrorist is kept in jail for some time and then freed by stupid politicians. So these students are smart to refuse, their lives are not so cheap.

what a of hypocrite first of all you do not even live in this country, pay taxes or serve in our army, secondly maybe it has escaped your notice that most of the charideem do not serve in the army due to the TAL Law which was introduced and maintained by their usual means of blackmail. Please tell me why is it that as a reserve soldier i serving Israel, having to leave my home, my family and my job for up to 30 days to protect the chariddem who contribute nothing to society and only milk the system dry? So how is the view from command head quarters in San Francisco these days

I think it's odd that Israeli courts have sentenced draft dodgers to six months and those who serve to the mandatory three years. I imagine most Israeli kids don't want to serve so why not just stick out the six months in prison?

And gassed by your greatest 'hero' (please underline the irony) Gamal Abdel Nasser, this modern era Haroun El-Rashid. Brothers gassing brothers, thousands of miles away, just for the fun of it, and not to defend its own survival... Ha! you make me laugh and cry in the same time!

As usual the right wing fanatics never miss an opportunity to voice their hypocritical sad voices. So a few left-wing kids have an opinion. Well i`m glad someone has! What, they do`nt want to join the army and go and defend your illegal settlements in the occupied west bank and get attacked by the fanatical settlers? well Duh ! How about drafting your ultra orthodox pals first then lets talk democracy!

Israel is att war. It fights for survival in hostile surroundings. There is no way to wage war in a nice way. In order to win and survive you have to violate some human rights and get your hands dirtied or should I say soiled with the blood of your enemies.. And it should not be difficult to understand that it is better to fight in the "territories" than in the streets of TelAviv if you have a choice. If you do'nt want to defend your people and fellow citizens there is only one moral choice to be made and that is to leave Israel. That's my word.

Holy crap these leftist cowards make me sick to my stomach.

You written English makes it seem you were educated in a hareidi yeshiva

Thank you :-) Well said! We do not have that "liberal, blind and backwards" western luxury called "passifism" or as the Israeli version is called "refusniks based on concience" (what concience was that again?). If we would, then we would simply said not be here at all anymore (as 5th gen noted so correctly). Basically what these youngsters are saying is "may the last one switch off the light before leaving". Maybe it is time our schools, especially high schols, would start teaching our confused and spoiled kids the Region we actually live in with the true meaning of Islam and Arab culture (also incl. the good), but maybe teach the truth of where we really live for once? May be a good idea, no? And then, if the kids still don't get it, let's send them for 1 month to Egypt, Marocco or hey, next door to Gaza for a summer camp type experience "a la Reality Check"? I don't mind teaching my own kids the truth of where we live(since our schools obviously don't), but it would be nice if more parents would start taking resposnibility for their kids basic education as well. It is kind of "old" to keep on reading this nonsense when all you need to do is open your eyes, read the news and then maybe Understand them as well to know that we are not living in peaceful times where such nonsense as Nir believes is nothing but national suicide!

I think you are one of them.

Simon, when Ive talked to secular Israelis about their army service, they told me the religious settlers are the first ones to volunteer in combat units. Furthermore, I've heard that some secular Israelis will claim to be gay to avoid being conscripted so how is that you've managed to serve at all? Did Mr. Gay Pride hide his beloved identity to protect the Haredi afterall? What irony. Actually what bull____.

As an Olah, with a son who This Week (!) went into the IDF, Nir and his parents are traitors. They are traitors to Israel and should be exiled. We are privileged to live in this Beautiful Land! If you won't serve, GET OUT! You don't deserve to be here. My Son is protecting your sorry existence. MY SON is fighting for our right to exist. Get the Hell out of Israel- who needs you? Your parents are idiots. They could leave too- let them make something of themselves somewhere else.

If you want to discourage draft dodging, why is the jail sentance only 28 days? They should have a choice: three years of sherut leumi or three years of military prison. If they object to army, there are some schools and ambulances badly in need of volunteers. But don't make them sit in jail for only 28 days before they are allowed to carry on their life, go to university, travel the world, etc. while their peers selflessly give back to the nation.

First of all Thomas (whos location remains a mystery for some reason ?) if that is your real name, what is it with you and your attack on gay people? You really have an issue buddy! Yes i am gay and jewish , and openly gay to every guy in my army unit and at work and family - so what? FYI gay people serve in the army and many make good career officers. sorry if it offends you that as a tax payer and a reserve soldier who fights for his country i am denied my basic human rights . Are you serving in the IDF? Do you actually live in Israel_ still no answer on that how strange! So please answer me. Why is it the chariddem (not settlers as you so twisted it around as usual) are not serving in the IDF, not working, not paying taxes, yet live off my tax money to pay for their lifestyle , while as a gay man a tax payer and a reserve soldier i am still denied my basic human rights?

You seem to avoid the questions: Are you in Israel? Do you work for a living? Do you pay taxes? Do you serve in the IDF? Awaiting a civil answer ( i presume you are capable of that) :-)

there is a major difference, the hareidi sect do not appose the IDF or what they stand for, rather keeping the balance of the jewish state with the learning of torah, although I do disagree with them, that it shouldn't be a contradiction.

Hi Simon, What one thing has to do with the other? I do believe that all religious jews should be in "Yeshivat Hesder" that doesn't mean this "objectors" (read cowards/traitors) are OK. Please understand that our army defends TA aslo (gays included) so don't try to sell us that crap about "defending the settlers" Ask the people in Kiriat Shmona and Sderot if you don't understand!

Of course, its just not in Gaza. Israel needs protections from the rest of the world. Gaza is just one issue among many.

They have nice ideas , would'nt we have to defend ourselve against our enemies . They still have this wrong idea of our "nice" enemies . Well guys , we are at war , and war is not always "pure" , put this in your head ! It's not a great "job" that soldiers have sometimes . They can be , and are sometimes , disgusted of what they have to do . But one thing : En Brera , we do not live in a west European country . And by doing so , you only give another excuse for the charidim not to enlist .

it is everybodies right to serve or not in the IDF. My handicapped son had to go through 3 appointments ( I lost 3 working days) before he was released, whilst the haredi "yeshiva bocher" were not asked one question, they were relesased within 3 minutes. Why should they be able to do nothing for our country whilst someone else should "pay" in jail....? if religious are allowed not to serve on religious basis, secular should be allowed not to serve on philosophical basis, if they choose so. The army does not need people who are not motivated to do what is required. Anyway they should organise better and not let 19 year old "children" decide over life and death... which is why our occupation is so filled with mistakes.

and IF they come back, I'll bet they have a new attitude about the enemy they are asked to patrol. Silly kids, go run to a 'friendly" country nearby, OOps, you can't, cowards. No Canada nearby.

... you lack knowledge and information once again. "Human rights violations" are not the usual business of every soldier. The international law differentiates battles between armed combattants (=usually soldiers) from willful attacks at unarmed civilians, non-combattants or children. The latter are seen as war crimes. New problems emerged in the last decades, as more and more guerilla tactics were applied and soldiers of regular armies have to fight against some kind of irregular fighters or terrorists ("asymmetric warfare"), what makes it more difficult for the regular soldiers – and lead to the question how to deal with "unlawful fighters" (look at the "Guantanamo" debate). So your constant lack of knowledge is not so "charming"...

Who will be left to protect the country after all of the neo-Zionists and haredim find excuses not to serve?????

Who asked the Charideem to keep the balance of the jewish state with the learning of Torah? Which is pretty rich coming from you living in SA, is that your way of preserving the Jewish state? thats the lamest excuse i have ever heard, and not acceptable. Why is their blood more valuable than anyone elses? What about secular youth giving the best years of their lifes, what about the three years they serve when like other young people abroad they to could be studying? , when the Iranian forces come marching over the Golan Heights what will they be doing ? throwing their bibles at them or are they to busy praying for my soul? One Nation one Draft !