Opinion
IDF plan threat to national security
Hagai Segal
Published: 08.05.13, 10:34
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12 Talkbacks for this article
1. Would you prefer that combat troops server less than jobniks
Eric ,   Tel Aviv & NY   (05.08.13)
Would you prefer that combat troops server less than jobniks?
2. money and combat units
israel israeli ,   tel aviv   (05.08.13)
Israel does not have money. The army needs to reduce pensions, disability allowances and other expenses, and the only way to do this is reduce the size of the army as much as possible. People don't serve in IDF combat units because of the conditions, but because there is no greater honor or privilege, certainly not for a Jew. If for some reason we cannot find enough youth willing to serve, we do not deserve freedom, liberty or our own country.
3. I disagree
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (05.08.13)
Combat units routinely attract the best and the brightest Israelis. These individuals will never opt to serve in noncombat roles, four month earlier discharge or not. But that's a perfect place to slot the haredim.
4. Salute!
michael Pielet ,   israel   (05.08.13)
I want to salute the fighters in the combat units. They make it all possible. Everyone else, the complainers, the talkers, the evaders should all be deported and live somewhere else.
5. ISRAEL, WE AND THE REST OF MANKIND, AND SO ON, A.S.O. ...
SJOERD VAN DER VELDE ,   OUR PLANET OF EARTH   (05.08.13)
THE ISRAELIAN DEFENSE FORCE, POLICE, JUSTICE AND THE (PRESENT) COALITION HAVE THE DUTY, TASK TO PROTECT, TO GUARD, TO DEFEND AND TO SERVE THE ISRAELIAN POPULATION AND TO SOME EXTEND THE PEOPLE OF JEWISH ORIGIN, WITH US AND THE REST OF THE HUMAN RACE. HEALTH, PROSPERITY AND PEACE TO US, AT ANY PLACE AND ALWAYS.
6. revamp
Tom ,   TA   (05.08.13)
Turn IDF into a professional army and cut the huge burdensome budget for maintaining the military admininstration. Annexx Judea and Samaria, clean it up from terrorists and incitement once and for all. Bring jews from europe and US. Every family that comes here brings some money with them that they pour jnto the economy.
7. changes
Jacob E ,   Holon, Israel   (05.08.13)
the poor will serve in combat units in order to receive a higher salary, while youngsters from affluent families will be able to dodge combat service.... doesn't this already happen? The part about having a clear conscience probably doesn't enter into it to begin with. What the army needs to do is pay attention to the soldiers who desire to serve in combat? The army ignored my requests for a year and a half before drafting me and then I didn't want to anymore. As far as haredim, I wouldn't push them into combat service, even more, I would prefer the ones objecting now just to do national service instead.
8. IDF dont need 10.000 soldiers like Guillat Shallit.
Rosenvald ,   Brasil   (05.08.13)
Israel lurning whit Shalit
9. Consider the US experience in Vietnam
R Narz ,   Toronto   (05.08.13)
I know, I know, the lottery style draft carried out by the US in that era was completely unfair, in that it had a racial bias. Still, one could perhaps learn from the American experience, take the benefits of whatever reduced cost and at least have a good idea of which pitfalls to avoid. If you have to have less than 100% universal service, then a lottery which is perceived as fair is the best starting point.
10. #1
(05.08.13)
You're completely raising an invalid point, likely on purpose. I won't comment on your intelligence. The article implies only that non-combat soldiers should not serve less time. Your retort to the author makes no sense. Where in the article did the author say anything about combat soldiers serving less? I fail to see how you could come to that conclusion, or why you would ask the author if he wants that. Obviously not if you actually took a moment to read the article. A more balanced statement would be "what, you want non-combat soldiers and combat soldiers to serve the same time?" (The point of the article). Stop injection red herrings. I have no problem with honest and fair debate, but knee jerk comments that are devoid of rationality and purely based on attacking belong in kindergartens, or the Knesset.
11. IDF Service
Get Real ,   UK   (05.08.13)
Those in non combat units should serve at least, if not more time, as those in combat units. All young and fit should be prepared or required to serve in combat units and should not feel others have taken an easier option. Defence and security must never be compromised. The notion of a professional army sounds great, but compulsory service must remain whilst hostile entities threaten Israel.
12. a stupid analyisis
Philippe ,   Rannana   (05.08.13)
1) to prepare a real fighter you need more time, more training, more money. 2) to train a Young draftee into a jobnik you need less time, less money 3) if the overall budget of the state is downsized then it 's the same for the army despite its existential function 4) the equality of service length between boya and girls is fine but remains a marginal question 5) the scandalous question is the haredim and arab sectors dodging any kind of military-civil-social service.6) the one and only just policy is that EVERYONE must serve either in a military or in a civilian way the country.
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