well if they dont want to participate what can we do. Maybe by cutting off all allowances for yeshiva students real ones and imagined ones we could get their attention.

"The quotas are nonnegotiable and neither is the (students') basic right to study the Torah." The basic rights of non-observant Jews in the State of Israel are non-negotiable, "Mr." Yishai!!! "The contribution of yeshiva students to the people of Israel and the Jewish people is well known to any observant Jew" Yes, hundreds (as far as we know, maybe much more?) of fictitious students in the Yeshivas paid by the tax money of non-observant Jews and getting into the pockets of obserbant criminals. Some contrbution. "Mr." Yishai, well known, except to observant Jews. "Mr." Yishai, like it or not, Israel is a democracy and no minority, even Shass and their senile leader, will dictate to the majority how to live and what to do. You don't like it? Resign and leave the country!

nothing to discuss and nothing to worry about. Let the secular government take care of their own first.

is really well known! They do NOTHING for Israel, besides pressing every gouvernment to spend every possible shekel for them and to humiliate women wherever possible!

About 10% of the seculars dogde the draft! About 90% of HAREDIM dodge the draft, only 8 to 9 % of the haredim do serve! So, better get your homework done, before you blame the scular people of Israel which feed and protect the haredim for nothing in return!

Shas never had red lines - pay them enough and they'll sell their mothers.

Before now the reason Bibi was not going to address the Tal Law was because his coalition was not big enough and so if Shas pulled out because they objected to a planned bill then that bill dies with the election. Now Bibi has a coalition of 94 seats on which Shas has only 11 so even if Shas pull out Bibi still has a huge coalition. Shas would do well to accept they lost this round and instead try and influence what goes into the bill than pull out and find themselves in opposition with no say on anything for over a year Its because of the coalition system that nothing has ever been done about the Tal Law. Even Mr anti hared Lapid would only be part of a coalition which will probably include the religious if we go back to the traditional size coalitions and so even he won't be able to take on the religious block.

Shas did something that no other party was able to do in recent memory - namely be a part of (and often play kingmaker) in almost every coalition government of the past twenty years. When it benefited them, they hopped on the Oslo bandwagon. When the tide turned, they switched to a cautious approach. But all this time, they knew how to promote the interests of their constituents and get deals and power from our divided secular parties. Now Shas has little choice but to compromise, otherwise Likud and Kadima may end up ramming this reform down their throats. Stonewalling is not going to help this time. And finally, a change of the government system might end up weakening their party beyond repair.

Shas and their spiritual leader have it all wrong. It might be relevant for me to say that I am an orthodox, hard working Jew who did reserve duty until I was fifty-two years old. There is nothing to stop yeshiva student playing a full part in Israel's defense needs. Many, not all, yeshiva students today have no civic responsibility, but they know how to take handouts and give nothing in return, Many, not all, of the yeshiva students today are completely worthless individuals. There is no finer activity for a Jew today than studying Torah, doing a worthwhile job and serving in the IDF or doing some needy public service. Yes. the yeshiva student has a right to study Torah, but equally he has an obligation to his fellow Jew to assist in the security and well being of the State. I would go as far to say that any yeshiva student who does not serve in the IDF, or some kind of national service should forfeit his right to receive any government grants. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef is defending the indefensible. It is time he spoke out in favor of yeshiva students setting an example of civic responsibility and the right and need to study Torah. Two fine objectives for any young person.

He should be trying to get as many of his people onto that committee as possible.

Basic rights to study? Don't believe it in a minute. They are fighting for the stipends and other exclusive benefits, the money that feeds them without forcing them to give back anything to Israel. Rabbi Ovadia is one of them, issuing decrees at the expense of the state. None of it would have lasted in the U.S.. In a minute Israel can make them change their minds by cutting off their welfare.

Kind David when the time came to pick up arms and go to war ,he did. and when it came to study he did. And he acheived the loftiest level still

according to the principles as outlined by that whole corruption ridden shas rot.

First ask Mr. Yishai to return to Budget commission 300 Thousand shekels who can be financed hospitals and new classrooms No wonder those people having a free ride on the israeli public is called Hara--Dim

Much of antisemitism is because of the picture of the weak talmudic jew wrapped in curls, shawls and wimpish appearance. All haredi have to go into the idf and enough of this ridiculous focus on study to the exclusion of physical sports. Yosef is wrong. If 6 million dead had been military, some of them would have survived hitler so yosef can keep quiet along with his watercarrier yishai.

army to King David's holy army?

you don't know what's actually happening in Israel. There are about 70% or more of secular draft dodgers!!

The small percentage of secular draft dodgers are only hurting themselves by dodging. They are looked down upon by many people and their ability to get jobs is inhibited. They don't get to just stick around and mooch off of everyone else like the haredim. They're a problem but a very small one compared to the parasitic haredim who do not help anyone outside their shtetls.

We know well our IDF training and will show up for the civil war. The solution is for you to implement. Simply, go serve our shared country now and spare everybody the grief.

Every chair in theYeshiva emptied by required military service, would have to be filled by another soldier in the army. Therefore, the yeshivas will always be full, preventing a negative Judgement.

While your comment has some points that are legitimate , your "foolish" and outrageous comment about R. Ovadia Yosef makes your complete comment illegitimate and unacceptable. If you agree or not- he is a GIANT among men , and certainly a low life like yourself has no right to make such a comment. I would suggest you familiarize yourself on the subject and person you talk about , before you write such drivel.

"The story of David's seduction of Bathsheba, told in 2 Samuel 11, is omitted in Chronicles. The story is told that David, while walking on the roof of his palace, saw Bathsheba, who was then the wife of Uriah, bathing. He immediately desired her and later made her pregnant. "In an effort to conceal his sin, David summoned Uriah from the army (with whom he was on campaign) in the hope that Uriah would re-consummate his marriage and think that the child was his."

What IF you continue to study Torah like you always do and do NOT serve the military...BUT the government will also fairly NOT support you and each student and their families monetarily...(not one single Shekel)...would THAT be acceptable?

it only goes to show that not even King David was free of sins. He was rebuked by the prophet and repented. He did not as a king with all his "powers" beheaded the prophet's head. He admitted his guilt and paid for the life of Uriah with the death of his son, born of Batsheva. Spiritual justice abound.

no one is drafted. No reason not to serve in the I.D.F. and I.D.F. alone. Either military service for all or no one. Draft dodging should result in a long prison sentence of hard labor.

If you say that 70% of the seculars are dodging, THAN you cant calculate nor read facts correctly, sry to say. Make your homework again, invest a bit efford maybe

/me High5's Michael!

Israel's government COMPLETELY stops the sinful practice of razing Jewish settlements in the Land of Israel ,and ALL Yeshiva students SERVE in Israel's Army,as it is demanded in Torah! Now ,I want to see COURAGE and MANHOOD in all parts to let aside their own pettinesses and do something for the good of Israel.All Israel.

...in these deliberations and will be obligated to serve -or to leave,nor Tel Avivian's "elite",who enter in the same category of Haredim.