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MK Chaim Amsellem
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Aharon and his wife Tzvia
Photo: Tamar Mordechai

Shas MK wants 1-year army exemption for newlyweds

Following severe injury of newlywed soldier in Gaza, Rabbi Amsellem revives bill based on Halacha law stating, 'If man has recently married, he must not be sent to war. For one year is to be free to bring happiness to his wife'

Knesset Member Rabbi Chaim Amsellem (Shas) decided last week to revive his bill proposal calling for men in their first year of marriage to be exempt from military service.

 

The matter resurfaced following the incident in which Second Lieutenant Aharon Karov from Karnei Shomron returned to battle in Gaza just hours after his wedding and was severely injured.

 

MK Amsellem said he would propose the bill in the next Knesset.

 

The bill is based on the Halachic law which states that any newlywed should be exempt from carrying a military burden for the first year of marriage.

 

According to Deuteronomy 24:5, "If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married."

 

The bill passed a preliminary vote in the last Knesset, but was put on hold due to the Ministerial Committee on Legislative Affairs' objection.

 

MK Amsellem said on Thursday, "The officer and newlywed's difficult story clearly illustrates to all the necessity of this law and I will work to have its legislations completed in the next Knesset."

 

The bill that was proposed in the previous Knesset, and supported by many MKs, calls for the amendment of the Military Service Law to say, "A person who served in the army should not be called for reserves duty to carry out operational missions during the first year from the day he is legally registered as married.

 

"Unless it is by an order according to article 34, or if he is considered among professionals that fill vital positions or jobs that have a shortage in manpower, as determined by the defense minister with the approval of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee."

 

During the proposal of the bill, it was argued that "in the early stages of building the family unit, long stays away from home, that are required to carry out operational missions in reserves service, could damage the partnership in the making."

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.22.09, 07:52
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