MK (Yahadut Hatorah) Meir Porush responded to the Peri Committee draft law to govern the draft of chareidim into the IDF and national service. “Anyone thinking that sanctions of one kind or another will compel the draft on bnei Torah has forgotten the Jewish People have stood proudly to maintain Torah tradition throughout history” Porush declared.
He added “I call on the Bayit Yehudi rabbonim for it is not too late. Do not lend a hand to deliver a serious blow to the Torah world and the holy yeshivos.”
Porush hopes the leading dati leumi rabbonim will compel the Bayit Yehudi party to oppose the Peri Committee recommendations, which calls for drafting thousands of chareidim annually.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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7 Responses
I think everyone agrees that financial penalties would probably do little to coerce Chareidi bochurim to join the army or even do alternative service. However, imposing some kind of assessment against those who decide not to serven could be used to create a trust fund that could be used to provide financial assistance to those who do serve. While the amounts would be small, since most kollel yungerliet are not affluent and have limited funds, it might at least create a small element of equity and sharing of the burden. There is a long history in Europe of certain groups “buying their way out of military service”.
The Dati Leumi may have the most to lose by alienating the Hareidim. In order to prevent conscription, the Hareidim may have to find others opposed to conscription, such as the Arabs and the “peace camp.” That could seriously alter the balance of power in the kenesset.
The so called charedi parties have not helped the DatiLeumi party in the past especially with gush katif so why should they help aguda now.
The charedim may start to wish that they had treated the datim better.
AK loves the coalition with the Arabs idea, isn’t it great that yahdus Hatorah and Shas are led by the Gedolim and not by the likes of AK. See what happened to bayit Hayehudi when they were led by someone who divorced himself from the Rabonim of that community. The manar chazal daas Baal habayit is neged daas Torah takes on a who new meaning..
3 & 4. You are absolutely correct. The Chareidim have always thought of themselves only. Had all the Torah world worked together, irrespective of Chareidi or Dati, the Country would be totally different. The Chareidim have only themselves to blame.
Another issue: Dati boys learn Torah AND serve in the army.
The DL have nothing to lose by alienating the chareidim. Perhaps they should make good on the suggestion by some on this site to leave E”Y completely? Will be no great loss to Israel. Protection? I’ll take my chances with the learning and army service done by Yeshivot Hesder boys.