Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman
Photo: Reuters
FM: Attempts to extend Tal Law pointless
Lieberman notes any variation on Tal Law will be formulated in coordination with yeshiva heads. 'There's no contradiction between Torah, national effort,' he says
"Any efforts to extend Tal Law is a waste of time," Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman
said Wednesday, on the heels of the Supreme Court's dramatic decision to annul the law regulating the exemption of yeshiva students from IDF service.
"We are pleased that the High court joined Yisrael Beiteinu's stance," Lieberman said in an interview to Ynet. "Some two-three weeks ago we said very clearly that our 15 ministers and all our Knesset Members would not give their support to the law and that there was no way the law would be extended."
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He added "We are standing before a great number of decisions and conflicts. The deciding vote is not always the quantity of weapons at your disposal but rather the quality of people and the fighting spirit. Our goal is to strengthen the public that carries the burden. Justice must also be seen."
Political manouvering won't help - Lieberman (Photo: Shutterstock)
The minister also discussed the bill Yisrael Beiteinu plans on promoting which will see enlistment for all: "I have no expectation of seeing masses of haredim and minorities suddenly flooding the air force cadets' course or being placed in the elite units, but they can certainly join the national effort. I see no reason why a haredi man can't sit in front of a computer in the army and make his contribution or be part of the national service."
Lieberman made no direct reference to the possibility that the current government would fall over the Tal Law debate but he made it clear that from his point of view there would be no compromises: "I see no contradiction between the torah and the national effort that seeks to give back to each and every citizen in Israel. Even our greatest rabbis and sages always worked. The Rambam was a full time doctor and it did not hurt his ability to immerse himself in the world of Torah."
Lieberman added that the bill being promoted by Yisrael Beiteinu would be formulated in coordination with IDF reservists and yeshiva heads. When asked if the new bill would be passed under the aegis of the opposition he answered: "This is not a question of opposition or coalition, this is our stance and it can not be ignored."
The High Court of Justice on Tuesday accepted petitions against the Tal Law which exempts yeshiva students of military service, and which will not be extended in August as a result. Outgoing Supreme Court President Dorit Beinisch was among those who supported the ruling while incoming president Asher Grunis was among those who opposed it.
Beinisch ruled that the law is unconstitutional and should therefore be rescinded. "The law, which has already been found in violation of the right to equality as part of the right to dignity, does not meet the proportionality standard and is therefore unconstitutional," she wrote.
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