Also, time to stop their stipends and other special privileges. Time to write the constitution and become a modern state.

Well, I think that shas/UTJ are a bit to optimistic. Should the tal law replacement just be a watered-down version of it, still allowing haredim mass draft dodging, than the voters will remember it darely at the poll stations next year. Bibi is truly smart enough to know that, Mofaz and Lieberman too. They wont give Yachimovic such an easy through ball...

Leftists will vote Yehimovitch and Meretz whatever happens to the Tal Law. Remember, the three governments that were most generous to the Haredim were the Leftists Rabin, Barak and Olmert. As for universal IDF service, it will fall because of budget reasons. The IDF does not want or need most of the Haredim. When people see how much more they will have to pay to force the IDF to accept Haredim in service, the whole issue will dissappear. What will happen is that the idiotic rule that says Haredim can't work and pay taxes will be overturned.

These men are COWARDS: LOCK STOCK AND BARREL. Torah Jews ALWAYS served when Dovid Hamelech was in power, all the way through to the last temple period. There is nothing wrong with serving your PEOPLE. NOTHING. The shtetle mentality is an old european reaction to the conditions around them (and was also an act of cowardice). This is ISRAEL; NOT THE PALE IN RUSSIA. Enough is enough: no more funding haredim who hate the state, exploit its people and don't support zionism and the re-establishment of our homeland. Either the serve or get tossed out of the country. This has gone on too long, is a public humiliation and a shame to the ethos of the Torah and all of its rationale, logic and sophistication. Period.

The US today has a volunteer army, but males still register for the draft when they turn 18. The first move in Israel toward universal service is universal *registration* at, say, 17 years 6 months or their senior high school year. Name, address, ID number, school status, and preference for IDF or national service. Simple. Fits on a post-card. A registration card will be generated, which at some point will be required by people of a certain age to obtain certain government benefits. No card, no benefits. The IDF and the national service agencies can then decide where these folks are most needed and the best fit, or alternatively not needed or unfit. Only those who serve are eligible for extra benefits, as is the case in the US. It's not rocket science. The haredim may kid themselves that nothing will change, but they have to. When Ben Gurion instituted military exemptions for Torah study, some 400 exemptions were granted. Today it's about 60,000. That's not sustainable.

One of the main reasons Bibi agreed to a coalition with Kadima is to get broad support for legislation that will end the Haredim leeching off everyone else. Most national religious serve in the IDF, there is no reason Haredim can't also serve or do national service. The situation cannot continue where the government funds Haredim who hide in yeshivas indefinitely & pays welfare to Haredi families who do not work. This is the real drain on the economy. The IDF or national service can provide job training & the Haredim can still have time to study Torah.

The arrogance is unbelievable. While seculars have to join the army you actually think it is the haredi prerogative to choose what they prefer? Shame on you : Stop sucking the working public dry.

1. Most if not all Shas MP's including Yishai have served in the army. 2. Most Shas supporters serve in the Army. Now please have the guts to acknowledge these facts. The trouble with those like you are that you are quick to shoot anythiing Religious and Sephardi down, a nasty inbuilt prejudice.