BSD
DY:
First and foremost, thanks for the marre makom. I did take a quick look, and have the following comments.
If all that the group would do is be “Anti-Zionist”, I would have no issues (although they should be consistant and not accept the government’s health insurance either (which I believe they do take the government insurance, but am not 100% certain). What makes it Avoda Zara is the emphasis that certain groups put on the single issue (as opposed to the Briskers, who don’t) and the other Avairos that come out of it (such as those that I linked above) in the zeal to be Machmir on this one issue. Come to think of it, it is quite similar (at first glance) to the Avoda Zara of “Tikkun Olam” that the reform created.
I have no Hava Amina that Lapid, etc. wants for our good (R. Lipman is a different issue). I just argue (as I have in the past) that the current concern of the non-religious in Israel is not in us following Hashem (as opposed to 70-80 years ago, when there were real Zionists), but rather in them paying for it. (In h=this way, they are not “Sonaim” per say, but just want to be left alone). If those who want to learn and not be drafted in Israel would agree not to take funding (similar to the Satmar shittah), I still strongly believe that the government would allow the Charidim to learn in peace without being subject to the draft. (Once they stop learning full-time, they would be subject to the draft and once again allowed to get benefits). Details could be worked out via negotiation. This way no one would be thrown in jail for not going to the draft board (like all other Charidim in Israel do), let alone for learning instead of going to the army.
To make a comparison that was used in the sefer, Yidden were drafted into all of the armies of Europe. Certainly a Jewish oriented army where they try (and mostly do) accomadate the Charaidi Chumrahs, let alone pure Halachah, would be less of an issue.
And no, the government is NOT mechuyav to support anyone. If you want their money, you have to play by their rules, no matter what they are.