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Netanyahu intervenes to postpone vote on sanctions for haredi draft-dodgers
Moran Azulay
Published: 18.02.14, 15:17
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17 Talkbacks for this article
1. No one ....
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (02.18.14)
... who does not want to serve should be forced to do so. But they can kiss their stipends good-bye, and an extra tax penalty placed upon them because they will not shoulder some of the burden.
2. So Netanyahu
Ira Rosenblatt ,   Gedera   (02.18.14)
As a family of normal decent Israelis living in Israel proper working hard, paying my taxes and doing the right thing. My Son and Daughter can be imprisoned for refusing to serve in the IDF. Whilst the Haredi can just carry on reading a book at taxpayers expense. something my kids do whilst studying and one who is serving in the IAF? Are you sure you want one unified Israeli state, or are you looking at creating a series of bantustans with different rules according to the type of Jew/Israeli who lives there?
3. No criminal sanctions. Just hit them in the pocket!
Jim Yakamoto ,   My Country   (02.18.14)
Our corrupt judges will just give them a slap on the wrists. The only thing the Haredim understand is MONEY and that is what you take away! You don't serve your country then country doesn't serve you! Of course, Bibi and his sidekick Ya'alon are kissing the butts of the Haredim so they will do nothing and our children will go on dying for them so they can shokkel and bleed the country dry!
4. Hredid Draft
Leah ,   Raanana, Israel   (02.18.14)
Did Netanyahu order or request? There is big difference, and to be fair be correct. Using words to score political points is not worthy of civilized discussion.
5. PM Netanyahu
Chaim ,   Israel   (02.18.14)
knows the power of the haredim and the civil war that will ensue if such a law would go to into effect. Just 2 weeks ago he experienced it well when it was in the media all over the world that thousands of haredim protested the 1 yeshiva boys jailed for learning Torah. He's not up to a civil war of hundreds of thousands. The PM is well aware that there's no way in the world that haredim will join the army especially since they already undertake the larger part of the "burden", that of studying Torah, which they must adhere to. And he also knows about the hypocrisy that about 1/2 of the secular dodge the draft and do not even learn Torah to protect the land and there's no sanction against them. In short, this discussion is one big waste of time and money.
6. hit them in the pocket
C   (02.18.14)
and the world will continue boycotting Israel. Hashem is great! Only fools and blind ones do not see it measure for measure. While the Israeli government cuts funding to yeshivos the boycotting gets stronger.
7. Non haredi. Not enlist = Jail. Why Haredi exempt.
Adi ,   Zurich   (02.18.14)
Non haredi. Not enlist = Jail. Why Haredi exempt.
8. If this true. Netanyahu just lost my vote.
Adi ,   Zurich   (02.18.14)
If this true. Netanyahu just lost my vote.
9. #1 so I can drive at 200km/h?
(02.18.14)
because I believe that this is really fun? The law is the law - it should not depend on the color of your hat!!!
10. Why is everyone up in arms
Sherlock ,   UK   (02.18.14)
when this bill will not take effect for AT LEAST another 3.5 years? By then, Yesh Lapid and Bayit Habennett Veshaked will long be in the dustbin of history.
11. The coalition calculations
Moshe ,   Israel   (02.18.14)
Netanyahu needs the hharedim for future coalitions, so he wants to show them his friendship.
12. draft-dogiders
yoel ,   Israel   (02.19.14)
they must be forced to take an equal berden in the IDF refusal to do so must include criminal action and no payment Mr. PM are not all equal in the eyes of the law.
13. To #1
michael weizmann ,   safed, israel   (02.19.14)
With the greatest respect Sarah, the applicability, and perhaps the logic, of your recommendations is in my opinion very doubtful. Firstly, nobody in Israel can, either morally or legally, be "forced" to perform any sort of service, military or otherwise. No sanctions, of any sort, can alter that. This is just one of the many things that distinguish Israeli human rights from the annihilation of human rights that was imposed in the labour camps of Nazi Germany and Stalin's Russia. And, in the latter instance, in the Red Army from time-to-time; e.g. in the defence of Stalingrad. Secondly, the "extra tax" penalty you envisage would have to be predicated on an evaluation, in terms of money, of the "burden" you have not defined, and which I would suggest is not definable except in moral terms. Just my 2 cents worth.
14. Confused
Tim ,   Brighton   (02.19.14)
Cant seem to follow the issues around this debate Searched high and low....to no avail Can anyone point me to anywhere in the Torah that expressly forbids a Jew taking up arms to protect him or herself, their families and community? Or on a more practical.is it the fear of Yeshivoth losing substantial revenues and consequent erosion of their power and influence? Or Haredim being tempted away from Orthodoxy? that they are so fanatically against National Service? Would like to learn more
15. Let us be honest with ourselves.
Larry ,   Or Yehuda   (02.19.14)
No Jew with a brain wants the Haredim in the army. Will they at any stage protect the state and you,? Honestly I have my doubts. My objection is simply that they should not be paid. If they want to study, like every other Israeli, they need to pay for it themselves.
16. Common sense
Tom ,   New York   (02.19.14)
Hareidim are not stupid , that's why they don't enlist . The court invalidated benefits given to IDF veterans as it discriminates against Arabs , Israeli Universities have affirmative action for Arabs . America after WW2 passed the G.I. Bill giving veterans free university education , subsidized mortgages , and preference in government jobs .
17. #5 where does Torah demand that men act like spoiled child
Steve   (02.19.14)
Torah does not protect the people, neither do incantations, prayers, wizardry, or any other sort of supernatural phenomena. Protection is provided by the brave young men and women who place themselves in harms way to deter and defeat the enemy, everything else is just lip service by members of a parasitic and cowardly sect who have perverted Torah for their own gain. Come the next war, the handwringing, whining, praying, and crying by hundreds of thousands of men will not offer as much protection as a single Merkava and a crew of four.
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