According to the IDF Chief of Personnel Branch Major-General Orna Barvibai, 1,500 of the nation’s young have simply opted to ignore serving in the IDF over the last five years. It is explained this number is in addition to the many who received a deferment for one reason or another. These are people who simply decided to ignore the IDF and get on with their lives.
Barvibai has learned that of the 1,500, there are hundreds using the three years to earn a bachelors degree instead of serving in the military. Making things worse from her perspective is the fact that some receive tuition assistance. From the IDF’s point of view, “not only are they draft dodgers but the taxpayer is footing part of the cost of their education.”
The IDF is calling upon the Council of Higher Education to compel students to show a certificate attesting to their military service or a draft deferment before accepting them into colleges and universities around the country.
When asked to respond, the council released a statement confirming receipt of the letter from the senior commander, adding the matter is being probed.
However, persons inside the higher academic system seem less cordial and they feel that the issue is an IDF matter. “The IDF has draft evaders so therefore, the IDF must address the issue, not the colleges and universities.”
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
Until the law requires the colleges to collect this information, their response is correct. Of course, the Knesset can pass a law requiring that the colleges collect the documentation.