If an Israeli student does not serve Israel in one of the methods described, is not supportive or loyal to the state in which he /she lives and is educated (many Arabs at subsidized fees), then absolutely .....................they should not be a leader at the college. A no-brainer. So stop your whining, wimping and woosing......serve the country in which you live.

IDF National Service does have many positive aspects - one of which is to foster the ability to work collectively and together constructively as a team quite apart from its character building If I was to employ staff in Israel therefore National Service would be a very important consideration I would need to be assured that EVERYONE in the Business would be able to work together Haredim Secular, Muslim and Christian...towards a common goal as a tight knit team. So the fact that strands of the community do not do ANY FORM of National Service is a disadvantage to them. Thats why I subscribe to Non IDF men and women doing ALTERNATIVE forms of National Service - From Community Work, Elderly Care, Tree Planting, Parks and Garden Care, Inter Community Projects etc etc ...that would not only serve their career interests, but would enhance social cohesion of the country as well Any comments?

If the requirement is that they had to serve "military or national service " this does not require military service. The Arabs could serve in hospitals, schools, or other areas in their own communities and still qualify.

this clause is a normal clause regarding work in Israel. this clause would also exclude any student who had grown up charedi and did not do one of the 2. the fact is, the Israeli Arab population could elect to do national service and therefore full fill the requirements. the fact is, most of them elect not to do national service. it is their choice. one can choose to be part of the country and do some sort of service, or one can choose not to be part of the country and instead, elect to put one self where one is alienated from the rest of the country.

irrespective of ethnicity or religion. Members of the Arab community can volunteer for military service.

Any Jew in Israel pretty much has to do either IDF service or sherut Leumi in community centres, hospitals etc to be able to be employed or enter university. The fact that certain Arabs, can get on without this is positive discrimination. Sherut Leumi must be compulsory for these groups of society also, if they cannot stomach working in a organisation where Jews are then there are enough projects in Arab villages, Matnasim, hospitals etc where they can do sherut Leumi. In short why does a religious Jewish girl from Ofaqim have to work in a hospital, community centre etc. for 2 years in order to progress in society when a Muslim from Umm El Fahm can go to university at 18. IDF service or Sherut Leumi must be compulsory for all whatever religious, race or colour not just for Jews, and certain Druze and Bedouin as is the situation at present. BTW I served as a combat officer in a non-Jewish unit in the army it was an honour to serve alongside Druze, Bedouin and we even had a Christian Arab volunteer soldier in my unit. We are all Israelis we should not ask what the country should do for us we should do for the country. This Tibi and other parasites will never and can never understand.

... and they are not hurt by this decision, so I see no racism here! The racism is only on the part of those who seek the destruction of Israel and genocide of Jews, while demanding the same rights as their intended victims! Citizens who seek the destruction of their country (or do not regard Israel as their country) have nothing to complain of! If you do not see yourself a citizen and you seek the country's destruction, then the country does not owe you any rights, capich? The only difference between the Israeli Arabs who seek the destruction of Israel, and Israel's outside enemies is the place where they live, and sometimes the weapons they use. Israel should treat its enemies equally, regardless of where they live! So whomever declares him/herself an enemy of Israel, should not expect any preferential treatment, or not even equal rights with those he acts to "wipe off the map". If you are an enemy, don't expect to be treated as a friend or a peaceful neighbor!

of anything. Muslims in Israel are discouraged by their own ledership from joining national service. These politicians claim that they serve the "Zionist Enemy" by serving their own communities. Well, if helping their own elderly and invalides is helping the "Zionist Enemy" then this attitude only shows that Muslims are willing not only to commit suicide with bombs, but also social genocide by hurting themselves and their own parents and grandparents, only to serve their barbaric religion and bloodthirsty leadership. So, the doors are open, but nobody enters. Envy, greed, arrogance, corruption and racism area powerful motivators, moving the Muslim politicians and clerics towards their own doom.

Those who claim that this is "racism" should look in the mirror and watch the face of a racist lier. Benefits are not automatic and they shouldn't be. You have to EARN preferential treatment. If you don't, don't complain! There are no prizes for calling and acting for the destruction of Israel!

>>>to be treated as friends. Expecting that is racist! Whcy should declared enemies be treated like any loyal Israeli citizen? Giving decared enemies same rights as their intende victims IS RACIST!

First of all the headline is wrong, it should include national service. Second, there is absolutely no reason why all Arabs should not due national service (some already do) such as working in hospitals. In the current situation they enjoy an advantage whereby when the Jews go off to the army at 18, earn almost zero pay and risk their lives, the 18 yr old Arabs can work or start their studies.

in Jordan

especially since it is known that the arab agitators in practically every university around the world organize highly inflammatory anti-israel hate periods. just look at such things as the anti-israel apartheid weeks in universities around the world... or the most insidious 'one state solution' events. good decision on that policy.

Inasmuch as there is an acceptable alternative to serving in the IDF for these students, i.e. National Service, this can hardly be considered racism. In fact, maybe it's time to stop using incendiary and inappropriate language in these articles...because all it does is create unnecessary conflict.

Why isn't an Arab, that has been chosen/elected to lead the student union, able to lead the union? The consequence in clear: All Jews in the Non-Jewish world must be banned from all leading positions! Like Arabs, they, too, are not loyal enough to lead anything in any Non-Jewish communities! The Torah states that we should treat others like we want to be treated. It is hard to treat the people of Safed like I want to be treated. I, for one, would love to treat them the way they treat me and others instead!

There is no shortage of Israeli Arabs who opt to serve in the IDF or to perform national service. Why shouldn't their loyalty and contribution be acknowledged in a meaningful way? And why should those Israeli Arabs who opt not to serve their country be rewarded?

Did you even read the article? Nowhere, and I reiterate, nowhere, does it state Arabs are not allowed to run. It states anyone who has NOT served in the army or NOT done national service may not apply. Jews who have for some reason avoided military service are ALSO not able to run. You did realize that no? Will Tibi champion for the Jews who did not serve? That being said, just like the college stated, they will need to look into the implications of such a policy. If only Jews become chairmen and no Arabs who have done national service ever become chairmen, THEN I will be inclined to deem this policy deceitful, and in fact being used to discriminate against Arabs. At this point, if the policy is taken at face value and is used strictly for what it is written up to be, then there is no issue. In fact, it is logical to reward those who support the state, whether Jewish or Non, and bar those who care nothing for the state. I truly doubt you are Jewish or your name is even Esther, for your logic leading to your "consequence" makes zero sense given the content of the article. P.S. To other TBers, don't get riled over "Esther's" comment, as like the Dane who provoked Eisner, she is looking to get a reaction out of you. See her for what she is. A manipulative charlatan misinterpreting the article purposely.

Arabs serve in the army in a limited fashion and National Service is open to all. Unless the group who denies the right of Israel to exist, and/or refuses to do anything that acknowledges the existence of Israel like National Service, is an ethnicity, then this is not a racist issue. It's a merit issue.

But not for haredim, PLO supporters & those who chicken out

Many Israeli arabs are in the unenviable position of resenting the Israeli 'occupation' of their land and at the same time living in fear that one day their hopes may be realised! They may fantasise about an 'arab strongman' riding into al quds on a donkey but it's the last thing they actually want to see!!

Anything that helps Israeli arabs to feel a part of the community and also serves a useful social purpose should be encouraged. There are many ways that this can be expressed and untold benefits that can accrue from it. Israeli arabs should certainly not be denied this opportunity and their service in whatever form it takes should be respected and regarded as the equal of any contribution that Jews make either in the iDF or as an alternative to military service!