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Haredi soldiers request exemption from uniform
Yoav Zitun
Published: 08.05.13, 18:57
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30 Talkbacks for this article
1. Heredi soldiers
Steve Gure USA ,   coconut creek, fl   (05.08.13)
hOW LAW CAN THE HEREDIS go? They caN NOT BE ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH IT.
2. Soldiers with guns are afraid of wimps?
Mike   (05.08.13)
You have to be kidding me. Really? the USA needs to teach these soldiers how to be men; we have the strongest army in the world. Maybe spending some time with Amerian marines would toughen up these softies.
3. Shame!
Anshel ,   Canada   (05.08.13)
It is time to show police presence to protect the soldiers from shameful acts that has nothing to do with Judaism. Anyone spitting, harassing a soldier should be arrested and charged without exceptions. Any rabbi, school institution condoning such abhorring acts should immediately loose state funding. I bet that this kind of violent behaviour will cease. IDF has to be protected, it is our guarantee of safety in Israel and consequently, around the world.
4. #2, It's called "spiritual terror"
Jake   (05.08.13)
The Haredim who are in the IDF are no less wimps than any other soldiers. But the fear of "karet", being cut off from their community, and the threat of being ostracized is very real.
5. How a bout a rifle butt applied directly..
Malone ,   Hfx   (05.08.13)
...to the face..break his spitting mouth
6. God have a peculiar sense of humor ,...
split ,   US   (05.08.13)
if you believe in your fairy tales, first He gave you a piece of waste land then He added a bunch of parasitic freaks ,...
7. Only In Israel...
Bill Foonman ,   Jacksonville, USA   (05.08.13)
Would its citizens be suffering abuse and be ostracized by their community for doing their duty while the rest of them do practically nothing for their country. If that's the best the Haredim have to offer, it's beyond pathetic. The real Israelis - those who contribute to Israel - deserve all the support and respect we can give them.
8.  The basic question:"G"D" given land or Secular State ?
Roland Seener ,   London England   (05.08.13)
9. Soldiers are afraid of these punks?
Rachel ,   US   (05.08.13)
10. Soldiers of the IDF
Republic Ireland   (05.08.13)
Bullying men because they want to serve their country is just downright unkind. These attitudes are as bad as any other extreme religious organization. There are even non-Jews willing to fight along side the IDF because the right of Israel to exist over rides all.
11. right in their neighborhoods
Alon ,   TA   (05.08.13)
Is there an institution out there that finances and supports moderate normal army-serving Haredim??? If there are they should buy buildings in middle of Bnei Barak and penetrate thse neighborhoods!!!!
12. What a world,in eastern Europe haredi
J.K. ,   Brooklyn USA   (05.08.13)
Jews were attacked by polish-Hungarian-Romanian antisemites,in Israel, haredi soldiers are being attacked by haredi antisemites,do catholic-protestant soldiers have the same problem in the US -Canada-UK -France,when they come home on furlough ?.
13. FOR GOD'S SAKE..LET THEM DRESS ON BASE..
Esther ,   Selkirk Canada   (05.08.13)
THESE HAREDI SET A GOOD EXAMPLE- PRECEDENCE WILLINGLY JOINING IDF.. OBEYING GOVERNMENT IDF ENLISTMENT-SERVICE RULES THEN THESE POWER-MANIPULATION-CONTROL FREAKS DO NOT HELP THEM WITH A SIMPLE REQUEST-PROTECTION ..AS THIS ?? UNBELIEVEABLE...
14. Congrats to these first brave few!
Mark ,   Cleveland USA   (05.08.13)
Hopefully these few Haredim will start a trend that will lead to the weakening and eventual end of the Haredi movement. The brainwashing and counter-productive beliefs diminish the Jewish State and our people around the world. If their members weren't so deeply indoctrinated, they would be able to choose to walk away without feeling that they will be condemned to hell by their pathetic leaders. These first few deserve our great respect and support!
15. 13 Esther.You mean well,but the
J.K. ,   Broolyn USA   (05.08.13)
underground armies were abolished by Ben Gurion in 1948,i am sure there is a way how to handle those terrorists.
16. The root of anti-semitism
Mark ,   London, UK   (05.08.13)
Behaviour like this is disgraceful. As the haredi community is so visible it does make you ask to what degree haredi communities are responsible for anti-semitism.
17. Don't worry! The IDF will teach them NOT TO BE COWARDS.
Mighty Jew Young ,   ATLANTA GA USA   (05.09.13)
And to stand up against religious bullies.
18. Come on IDF
Get Real ,   UK   (05.09.13)
Support the soldiers who would support the country.
19. Like in 42
Israel ,   USA   (05.09.13)
Like in the movie 42, were Jack Robinson in the first Black player in White Baseball in the 40s in USA, these brave Haredi will need to be strong and withstand the abuse of theses people, so others will come after them, more when all the Haredi are obligated to do service. Because of these it is important that they go home and show how Haredi can be in the IDF.
20. what about the idf?
Rachel ,   Toronto, Canada   (05.09.13)
I find it interesting that most of the talkbacks are focusing on the behaviour of the Charedi bullies. While it is unfortunate, I don't think any of us should be terribly surprised. I think these soldiers should be commended and the IDF needs to recognize that this will be a SLOW process. You can not change the way people think overnight. They should be making the process for charedim to join easier, not more difficult.
21. Haridem have no shame what so ever
Haim ,   TA   (05.09.13)
22. Co-operation
Shalom Hartman   (05.09.13)
First let me say that I live in a hareidi neighborhood and I have NEVER heard any soldier being spat at, insulted or otherwise. I would assume that the examples given were majorly exaggerated, if not invented. However, I do understand that there is still a major "embarrassment" issue about serving in the IDF - which is slowly disappearing. I do believe that the IDF has received requests for changing clothing on base, and if I was one of the Shahar (I am far too old), I would probably do the same thing - at my kid's request, and I don't think the IDF should make such a big deal about it, if they want to encourage hareidim to serve. What I would like to add is that right now the hareidi world is at a crossroads. Things ARE changing, but the change has to come (and is) from within. Outside influences such as Yair Lapid are just pushing the hareidim back in to their shell instead of letting them out which was happening.
23. As a mother of two former Nachal Hareidi soldiers...
Riva ,   Betar Ilit   (05.09.13)
Fortunately, in Betar Ilit, I have noticed a lot of respect and awe for our soldiers. But i do know that it is true that in some communities, this terrible behavior has happened. What is not realized by these little Yeshiva children iin these areas is that their actions are an "aviera!" and clearly forbidden! What i would suggest is for representatives of Nachal Hareidi along with the Rabbis who work with them is to go to many schools in these neighborhoods and speak to their principals about properly educating their students not to act in this horrendous manner towards any Jew, esp. soldiers (who are engaged in very dangerous life saving work for their sakes!) But let it be known to the public that MANY MANY "Hareidi" people applaud the work of our soldiers. Many of us give tzadaka for soldier's causes, children in Betar Ilit have been seen in stores to crowd around soldiers-admiring them as i saw happened with my son who was a commando, but most of all, many Hareidim are willing to allow their sons to join the IDF.
24. Kol Hakovod to these soldiers
jerushosh ,   jerusalem, israel   (05.09.13)
So proud of these soldiers!!! But i feel the IDF is handling this wrong! These soldiers are brave already for going against what they have been brainwashed about not serving their country...its not like they are asking for special privileges, they are merely asking not to wear the uniform out of fear for their safety and lives! they know what these crazy communities are capable of (rock throwing, spitting etc)...there should be some means to protect them as they are serving their country!
25. Haredi Soldiers
Helene Forman ,   Neve Aliza, Israel   (05.09.13)
cant even read this makes me sick to think that haredim are now holding all their own "hostage" is this what good Gd fearing Jews learn and teach to their kids all i can say is Shame on them
26. I dare to have any Haradi POS touch my son
Al   (05.09.13)
That POS would have his teeth handed to him. My son is Canadian born, tough as nails and a tank commander in the IDF. His grandfather (my late dad) survived Auschwitz and helped liberate Israel in 1948. My son also happens to be very frum. The Haradi are tinif...they are not frum..they are menuvalim. The Haradi disgust me.
27. Why should the Chareidi masses support drafting their
Heshy ,   Brooklyn ny   (05.09.13)
Why should the Chareidi masses support drafting their yeshiva students in light of the fact that the Arabs are not drafted. How many idf soldiers fear hitching rides because of past Arab kindnappings of them. What country in the world has its soldiers afraid off being in its own country. The Chareidim will never except Zionism and you can go to any synagouge in Brooklyn and the vast majority will not allow an Israeli flag in their shul. What the Zionist ideals stand for is copying the western society of allowing gay parades,abortions on demand and a basic culture Judaism without religion. If you think that for a moment you will get any real support for the drafting of Chareidim, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. Let's get real. Yes there are Chareidi youth who certain Rabbis encouraged them to go,but they are the serious delinquent dropouts who are out of control hanging out all night on the street. Any normal Chareidi would never even support a secular government let alone be in its army. Get real ,from a Jew in Brooklyn.
28. Harassment of Soldiers
Dan S.   (05.09.13)
Anyone who harasses IDF soldiers is committing acts of sedition. Non adults who engage in these behaviors should be sent to a reform school set up to reeducate them to be part of normal society. Adults who engage in these despicable acts should be executed.
29. tough choice!
Jose ,   Berlin   (05.09.13)
"... forcing them to choose between their right to a free ride and living in peace with neighbors..." lol!
30. Don't give them any special privileges
Dan   (05.13.13)
Part of the reason for conscripting Haredim at last is to ensure they understand and live as other Israelis do – the ones whose taxes and military service they have been relying all these years. They must now come to grips with normal Israeli life and with the stupidity of fellow Haredim who want to remain 'special'.
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