With the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz from the coalition and the deadline for the expiration of the Tal Law rapidly approaching, month’s end, Defense Minister Ehud Barak is preparing to induct chareidim.

Barak correctly announced that in light of the fact that a new draft law has not been passed, if the deadline for Tal arrives and a new law has not been voted upon in Knesset, the 1986 draft law will once again set the playfield for military service.

Barak announced that the chareidim will be included in the upcoming August draft based on the groundwork prepared towards increasing IDF draft during the last year.

Defense Ministry officials decided that during the next three months, a bill will be presented to the cabinet and then the Knesset focusing on the High Court’s ruling, towards meeting IDF needs and fulfilling the ‘sharing the burden’ mission until such time a permanent bill is passed into law.

The defense minister has instructed the IDF to look into expanding the chareidi draft and induction options suited for the chareidi tzibur as well as looking into developing new service options suitable for this tzibur.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)