This debate is nothing to do with religion and simply is politics, with different groups desiring not to ” dilute” their identity or re-examine their attitudes, something we have always previously done!
My sons have served in the Israeli armed forces and have never felt compromised in religious terms, what they have felt, especially the rabbi is a sense of confusion from some within the charedi world, fearful of traditional values being lost or cast aside.
Those values have less to do with Torah and more to do with cultural affiliation and sectarianism. Torah is clear about the need for an army and sets clear halachot. Ask foreign yeshiva bachurim in EY how many times they have sought the help of Israeli armed forces or emergency services as one of their tiyulim has gone wrong. The answer is plenty, as ill experienced sheltered young men have strayed onto dangerous territory or encountered volatile situations. They do not just sit and learn Torah when in danger, they call for help, Hashem gives us free will and the power to learn, fight and work.
Why are people focusing on isolated stories that certain groups exaggerate to promote the status quo. Have any of you been in a life or death situation, understood what pikuach nefesh actually means when dealing with warfare?
The USA like the UK is blessed to have no need for national conscription and has a fine professional army, Israel’s position is very different. It really is grotesque to read of how fighting in the IDF or learning Torah are described as two separate entities, deliberately ignoring and besmirching the thousands of observant men in the armed forces who do both.