being born in bred on Torah has its effect, when surrounded by wall saturated with Torah, and Torah learners, has its effect even on a secular president, something many Tel aviv ot will never be fortunate to experience ...

God does not exist so worshipping a god while claiming to "pray" for the other soldiers...does not make any sense. You need to protect your country and not your interests. Whispering and thinking thoughts in your head - does not help anyone. Not even yourselves.

misunderstood and that he will seek to clarify his statement and beliefs in an upcoming announcement. It is agonizing enough to have part of the youth population being forced to defend the country whilst a sizable number of others appear to be exempt without Mr. Peres (apparent) imprimataur on the matter. On the subject of exemptions, it was Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beiteinu) who made it a principle of his party when he announced: "No national insurance without nation service." Since then, the population of Charedim in the IDF has grown ostensibly although many more need to come forward. Information which I have gleaned on a personal basis indicates that once enrolled, they make formidable soldiers. The utter exception, however, are the Edah Charedim who not only refuse to recognize the state of Israel but, it is thought, actively work against it. That their youth should be exempt from service while being protected by other Jews (and Druse and Bedouin) is extremely hard for most of us to swallow and is one reason why they are despised by many. It used to be quite simple for Israeli females to renege on the IDF by claiming that they are orthodox religious but the state has clamped down on them and many claims are now disallowed. There are also many youths who have maintained that they are either psychologically or psychiatrically deficient, especially children of the wealthy and elite who are able afford professional assessments, but the IDF has taken it upon themselves to follow these assessments up with their own. As a result, significantly fewer deferments should be allowed although I am not aware of the actual results. Finally, there is the question of Palestinian Arabs and the military. Up until now, nothing has been expected of them, presumably out of fear of sabotage on their part and upsetting them (Arabs) on the part of the Israeli government. By not expecting anything of Arab Palestinians, they become even more marginalized and alienated. All should at least be expected to complete national service. It should be mandatory. While the short-term result of enforcing such a mandate might be upsetting, in the longterm the result would be of benefit to the Arab youths themseves and to Israel as a whole as more positive integration between Arab Israelis and (mainly) Jews would occur in a most natural manner. If any Reader has more information on the subject or is in disagreement, I would appreciate the input.

After the horrible mistakes he commited as a result of his total lack of vision, Peres should keep away of politics and Media. Only a peace process with the acceptance by the Arabs to be resettled in other Arab countries had a chance to bring peace to the region. Financial compensations would be the main reason for the Arabs to accept their resettlement. The best solution for the Arabs would be to leave the borders of “greater Israel,” so that Israel could then annex the West Bank and perhaps Gaza. Advancing this solution, daily, at any occasion, might creat a new perception and bring peace. Any different solution presents a risk of an endless war. For more details: http://xrl.us/bjcgx

thanks to them, the PLO and Hamas exist and are strong. They were both traitors, and now we have him as Presidente, shame on the encarcerators of the patriot who took justice in his hands !!!!!!

why are not those NK who burn israeli flags detained??? put them into jail, send them to bomb Gaza, make them do something good for the country, Why not sending them as bombmen to Gaza and Lebanon?

Peres is a grade A phony. He never had an army career...he falsified his military history on an Israeli Gov't. website. Link: http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/Politics/11033.htm So, you expect anything from him? Hey, it's ok if someone elses child gets killed protecting the haredim. They share no equal responsibility. Oh yeah...I forgot. They learn to pray. You want to learn how to pray? Fight in a war. You'll learn soooo fast. Ah, enough. A voting block gets it's bribe. Who cares that it's with the blood of someone elses child? Phony politician.

It is work to study the Torah and Tanakh, but that is a protection for others who do not take the time to do that. King Solomon said warfare must be the primary occupation of Israel and that continues to be true. But the protection that comes from reading the Torah and Tanakh and praying is a godly warfare, too, in the spiritual realm while the IDF is in the natural realm. Both are important for Israel's protection as the apple of Y'hovah's eye.

This old man is way past his "sell by date".Its all downhill now.

I was a yeshiva student and I servered in 2 armies in America & in Isreal. Defending one's country is very much a part of the Torah. I think Peres was being too much the diplomat when he made his statement I hope he clarifies his position

This sets a precedent....What about non-Jews,secular teenagers who would prefer to study at University then go to the army, Black Hebrews, New Olim, girls who don't want to get their hands dirty..... It should be the same burden for all Israelis, no matter who they are. I'm so sick and tired of the Heradim getting away with everything in the name of god. Those religious nutters who recently burned the Israeli flag should be sent to jail. If I were to have done that, or an Arab, or any other secular person in Israel, we would be sitting in jail right now. All those riots in Jerusalem, assaulting police officers....why does the Law not apply to them. If we keep bowing down to the Haredim, we will sone be living in a state more like Iran.

Shame on you. I thought that you were better then that. I hope you will retract your statement and prove to us that there is a rule of law in Israel.

that the behaviour and conduct of the Haredim, and even more so the attitude of the authorities towards them, are negative in all respects and will undoubtedly lead to civil war. The anger of the secular and mainstream religious citizens of this country, who bear the burden of security and taxes in order to feed and cloth a bunch of parasites, first class poncers and pimpers, is not only justified it is now becoming unbearable and the time is nigh when there will be an uprising. I hope it will be in the form of demands and ultimatums that will be met, but if not I then hope it will be in the form of a popular non violent uprising. I fear that if a cure is not found soon for this social sickness that the ultimate consequences will be devastating. No society can subsist in such a manner. # 5 Robert Hammond, used the word "despise". This word is spot on, I do indeed despise them simply because they are despicable. I refuse to interact with them in any way whatsoever, even when approached by one in the street, I do not reply, I turn my head in the other direction. When I encounter, or even think of a Druze, I am filled with pride and respect on the one hand, and shame and remorse on the other.

to # 15 Well put. You are correct. I just hope that the Government will open their eyes to this before it's too late.

"We marvel at your statements which encourage discrimination between the blood of our children and the blood of haredim..." This is such a terrible statement. Peres was referring not to all yeshivot but to that one in particular where the deal was cut with Ben-Gurion. In that respect, and in regard to their elite and exemplar studiousness, Peres said that he is proud that the IDF releases the students of Ponovizh to study Torah. These comments apply to the child of any Israeli, irrespective of affiliation, who is qualified to occupy the study halls of that yeshiva. There is no discrimination in that, and certainly no differentiation between Israeli blood.