I fully support this association. Draft dodging is a cancer within the israeli society, and like every cancer, we have to get rid of it as fast as we can.

Maybe when economic inequality hadn't exploded since the 1970's because of 'free markets' and the spread of individualism there would still be solidarity among Israëlis. At the moment you are indeed a 'frayer' when you get killed in Lebanon while others get rich. Barak is 2 faced about this, too.

Israel leads the western world in anti-Jewish bashing. Shame on you!

When the yeshivas offer draft dodging privileges? That rot in the system to defend israel must be extirpated. as it stands now it is only increasing the hostilities towards any and all who attend and/or run these yeshivas and has everyone else asking why they should be forced into the military if these yeshivah students are soooo exempted. End the yeshiva draft dodging. until then there is absolutely no justification for protesting those who are dodging the draft.

Serving in the IDF can mean following orders to evict Jews in brutal manner from their homes as was done in the Gush, or sacrificing our lives for the preservation of historical landmarks (as was done in 67 while conquering Jerusalem), or sacrificing our lives in order to protect the “civilians” guarding the terrorists, or taking on stupid and risky missions as decided upon by corrupt and evil politicians. What is the morality in following corrupt orders given by morally bankrupt leaders? Why should they be supported?

a few years ago the IDF declared they were steamlining the army..no more high school drop outs..no one with a criminal record however trivial..just about anyone could get out...just declaring one didnt want to serve at bakoom was also enough...so stop the bullshit...the noble IDF is responsable for this happening...stop blaming the society

I can understand why you are critical of those who refuse to be a pawn in the IDF for the politicians. And that is because of the influence of your parents, teachers, and peers all being in agreement on the necessity of the IDF for our survival. I understand that from your mind set and background it is beyond comprehension for a Jew to actually believe that we could be better off without the IDF. But believe it or not, there are many many Jews that volunteer more of their money, time, and energies on behalf of the Jewish people than anyone you know, and they actually believe that it is possible and probable that we could be better off without the IDF. My suggestion to you is to try and understand them, because they are good Jews, and it would be a shame to judge them to be at fault just because they strive for the benefit of Israel differently than you.

They if they are going to be in this country they should certainly do National service. I will say it yet again it's all about education. All Israelis should be educated as to why they should serve. Every Jew in Israel should be very grateful to have the opportunity to live in a Land promised to the Jews by Hashem this is why all Israeli Jews should fight to protect and nurture the Land. Whether, one is secular or not, Hashem is at the core of the Jewish people and Israel's History. It's Hashem and his Torah that make us who we are. Secular dodgers (including Olmert's kids), all yeshiva students and everyone else who is physically capable should serve in the Military or in National Service. Constantly bashing the Haredi is simply scapegoating the problem, there are an enormous amount of secular Jews shirking their responsibilities. Like it or not most Haredi are abiding by the Tal Law and are not simply breaking the law like the secular kids. The loopholes they are taking advantage of, which is allowing them to avoid serving entirely should be closed. Many Haredi do serve and want to serve. Kyle, Southpark posted the following article from Jpost.com which highlights this point: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1185893684372&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

You can keep making excuses - we know the truth. You're just a coward who isn't willing to risk his own neck, and would rather watch others do it. What would happen if everyone behaved like you? We would all be dead - that's what.

Another coward making silly excuses. Without the IDF we are all dead, precious Haredim included. That's it. The end. No amount of babbling and excuses will change it.

The article made a point that people should share the burden whether through army service or civil service. Here's the problem... If you believe in G-d, and that the torah is from sinai, and that we as jews need to serve G-d and follow his mitzvos. If you believe this, then the jews who are learning torah, yes that means in yeshivah or kollel, all day... are providing a service to the jewish people just as important, if not more than military service. Thats the essential argument, Torah from G-d or not. Look into jewish history, and youll see what weve accomlished and survived has not just been through our own physical effort!

(Un)holy s__t!!! Do you have ANY clue how many despicable actions have been perpetrated by religious fanatics - Haredi among them - in the name of lobby-style laws and fabricated interpretations? Good G_d, man, do your homework or try to think logically. Or if you're going to be such a frier, don't spread the disease...

Back in its prime, the Peace Corps actually achieved a lot to boost America's image abroad, and the cost per participant was quite low. I can name one third world country, Guyana, English-speaking, which would welcome any such aid. Could do a lot to boost Israel's image in the world.

Three important trends demonstrate moral decay. They are the "rise in immorality," the "decay of religious belief," and the "devaluing of human life." The classic study of Roman civilization, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, written by English historian Edward Gibbon was published in that famous year of 1776. He "observed that the leaders of the empire gave into the vices of strangers, morals collapsed, laws became oppressive, and the abuse of power made the nation vulnerable to the barbarian hordes."

Freedom isn't free, and if someone doesn't want to bear arms for religious reasons like our Quakers and Mennonites, they can serve in non-combat support capacities. My late husband, a Marine reservist with no training other than how to shine his shoes, button his shirt and salute, was jerked out of college and after 2 weeks' of night and day basic and learning how to dis= and re-assemble a weapon at Camp Pendleton, CA, shipped to Korea as a fullblown combat Marine. When he got there, they handed him a BAR, something he had never touched before. Well, his boy wasn't going to end up getting killed at some point, due to any "on the job training," and our son spent three years in the Air Force, where, at Elmendorf, Alaska, he not only received invaluable computer training, but learned that, compared to freezing off his butt and having to chase nasty-tempered moose just to get to his car, the Alabama heat and a raccoon here and there weren't so bad, after all. Our grandson did his time in the Army. Not only did it knock the chips off his shoulders, but if something should happen, at least, he'll have an idea what it's all about. Our daughter was the first female to make it through the obstacle course and qualify for her highschool ROTC program, but patriotism had nothing to do with it for momma's girl. She just wanted to go the annual ROTC New Year's Eve ball and, instead of waiting to be invited by some dorky cadet, she wanted to do her own inviting. Knowing that girl's prowess with a gun, you didn't turn her down, either. :-) Due to that bit of selfishness some excellent training, she became an expert marksman. She weasled herself a contract with Wells Fargo and not only earned some of her way through college with the money, but she got to see every State of this country in style as part of security contingents for US and foreign dignitaries. Neither son nor grandson was thrilled to get pushed into the military, but now they are actually thankful for the experience, very proud to have served their country and making good livings on what they learned in the process. Although I did worry about them, it was good to see that for the spoiled brats who went off, we got back some rather mature, very self -confident young adults. (Actually and though they wouldn't admit it for the world, I think, they just loooooove the way they look in their uniform pictures with all those cute insignias and buttons.) Last but not least, the medical care is free. The bad side to all of this? Well, they had never called me drill sergeant before. So, maybe instead of letting young Israelis get away with all their good excuses for skipping military service, somebody should give them better reasons for showing up. Shooting eggs and tomatoes at Gaza sounds like a lot of fun, but it won't be of much help when things get serious. With some good training, what the heck, they can do both.

All should be have equal responsibilites and all should have equal priviliges.

It is tolerance and sence of community among its citizens that will make israel stronger and more secure, not hatread and alienation of large segment of society. While many Israeli-Arabs VOLUNTEER to serve in the army, the majority or religious jews dodge thier draft.

no, do not let arabs serve. you know what happened when an arab mk sat in the knesset and shared information with the hizbullah enemy. to let arabs serve is a DISERVICE to israel's security. no arab in israel supports our existence and survival. they are with their brothers in arms and once some of them enter the military and are exposed to the intelligence and the plans being made, they will share these with hamad and jihad groups in gaza and west bank. too dangerous to rely on people that do not support israel's existence and do all they can to jeopardise it. it'll be a very risky and naive move to let them serve. never. too dangerous. it can work against us.

Is that mean you the palestinians, barbarians? It seems you are sincere..

God wants us to go out and defend ourselves. Pray all you want, and that's good - but we need to fight or we'll be dead. (Of course nobody is coming after YOU in Chicago, but trust me that's how it is in Israel).

armed and ready for war AND President Putin of Russia withdrawing from the NATO ARMS Treaty AND the prophecies of EZEKIEL warning of an invasion of Israel by Magog(Russia), Togormah (Turkey), Gomer, Persia, Libya, Arabian Ethiopia (Saudi Arabia?), and other Moslem countries, I HAVE TO ASK, WHY WOULD ANY JEW IN ISRAEL SHO WANTS TO SURVIVE SHIRK MLITARY SERVICE? Do you think the genocidal Moslems are going to spare the haredim? Did Hitler? The war with Iran and Russia et al will be won by Israel, but at a terrible cost: the American military in Iraq may be the multitude (military) of a younglion nation Ezekiel described that is destroyed by a sword of the king of Babylon (Iraq). EVERY PERSON IN ISRAEL WHO SHOULD BE SERVING IN THE MILITARY SHOULD BE IN TRAINING, NOT DRAFT DODGING. The Lord will spare Israel with an earthquake and a plague that melts the eyes in Northen Israel, but a war comes after that that is even more terrible: Armageddon. Only the messiah can deliver the world from total destruction that would occur at Armageddon if the Messiah did not come.

All nations and peoples are suffering with this problem to a larger or lesser extent.

you may not realize this, but you are not dealing here with roman italians....you are dealing with JEWS AND ISRFAELIS. big difference.

you are so right on the mark. are you saying the arabs will be the BARBARIAN HORDES? how true and apropo and how fitting to call your people barbarians, which of course they are!

I see what your saying. However we have people fighting. The Torah, devarim, says that you need to have one third of the jewish people learning and praying, while one third are on the font lines and one third supplying them. If you go by the Torah, then we are nowhere near where we should be. It boils down to opinion, and whether not you believe in the Torah. In israel, the jewish state, you should have that right, but jews who follow the torah which has been with the jewish people for thousands of years should have that right too! Dont let your anger and misunderstanding of religious jews fuel your argument, lets be logical! and dont try and attack me using logic in reference to torah, since thats a whole another discussion that cant fit here! thanks , and shabbat shalom!

apparently they already do-they ran away.his daughter sets another example for israel-we run away.olmerts family and his own personal example and run away barak from lebanon and surrender at oslo have set the examples that israels youth follow now.too bad-you cant expect others to jump when you say jump if your a horrible example.

Around the start of the "uprising" of 2000, I outlined a call for what I called the New Social Contract. It replaces the obsession with "rights" with one of "shared obligations", from all elements of Israeli society. It is obscene in the extreme that so many should impose claims on the state for services, financial support, defense, etc. while denigrating the state and shirking civic obligation. Everyone who ties his fate to that of his fellow citizens must make their contribution. To the haredim, I say "dina d'malchuta dina" - the law of the land is the law - and remind them that Joshua and the Jews took up arms to take possession of the land, that the Maccabees did likewise in fighting the Greeks. To those Israeli Arabs who think of themselves as Palestinians and not Israelis, they still should feel obligated to perform national service. Those who don't contribute should expect nothing in return. This is Citizenship 101.

Do whatever feels good for you own big business, and mind your own business.

SOrry, Pslams 46 be still and enjoy the show , the overflow of all the elements temps including people. All nations shall surivive not goverments though REV 15. ISH 66:15