The government voted Sunday in favor of a five-year extension to the Tal Law, deferring military service for yeshiva students.
The Tal Law was passed in the Knesset five years ago. The law allows yeshiva students to postpone their military service until the age of 22.
Some of the components of the law have not yet been implemented. For example, the national service alternative does not exist in reality as the required documents were never signed.
Arguably, the Tal Law creates injustice. However, Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann was the only minister to abstain.
Housing and Construction Minister Meir Sheetrit said, "There are those who put themselves in the front line and those who don't". Nonetheless, he voted for the extension.
Another vote to extend a pilot program whereby those who do not serve in the army – haredim, Arabs and 'refusniks' – would do national or civil service. Those who participate in the program would get the same benefits as non-combat soldiers.
"The national service law should apply to everyone. It is the only way we can remedy the rift in our society," said Minister Eitan Cabel who opposed the program. "Only a part of our society carries the burden. The law does not provide a solution," he explained. The four Shas ministers also voted against the pilot.
Prof. Friedmann added, "Those who serve in the army are discriminated against. Of course, we could try to deal with this by giving assignments to those who do not serve, but I support drastically improving the salary and conditions for soldiers in compulsory service."
"National or civil service are not desirable as they upset the work force. They provide cheap labor, thereby overall lowering salaries. It can also ruin the dominance of the military service as youngsters will prefer the shortest service possible," he concluded.