According to Dr. Eitan Lasri, a former senior advisor to Ariel Sharon, the former prime minister was not of the same opinion as Kadima leader Shaul Mofaz; rather he supported dialogue and opposed a compulsory draft for chareidim. Sharon understood this to be a gradual process Lasri explained, not something that can be rectified by forcing a new reality upon the chareidi community as is the case today.

Lasri tells how Sharon recommended expanding the scope of the Tal Law by creating new programs in the IDF to accommodate them as well as national service, which would include emergency services. He added that the prime minister acknowledged the progress being made, but stated the numbers of those serving were still too low.

Lasri feels that stiff sanctions against chareidim will not facilitate achieving the goal and there must be a defined program that meets the needs of the minorities involved, including the chareidim and Arabs – explaining that anyone who serves will be entitled to receive benefits from the government in return.

Lasri feels the IDF at present cannot accommodate all the new inductees, and on the other hand, the chareidim must realize that if no agreement is reached, they will find themselves in a difficult legal position come August 1, 2012.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)