MK (The Movement) Amram Mitzne spoke with Kol Berama Radio on Thursday, 27 Adar I 5774. The MK, who is known to align with the political left-wing, is a retired IDF major-general and a former Haifa mayor.
Mitzne was asked if he believes if the IDF really needs the chareidi inductees and to comment on the Shaked Committee and draft bill that is soon expected to pass into law.
Mitzne explained that he is not satisfied with the work of the Shaked Committee or the new proposed draft law, which he points out in no way represents equality. Mitzne explained that ideally he feels everyone should serve a full military service but there is the element of being realistic.
“Where have we gotten to? Look what is going on. I am not among those threatening hesder!” he exclaimed, citing that the Shaked Committee has lost its direction. He pointed out that while hesder yeshivos serve less than a full military service, “They have been serving the nation for decades and paid a heavy price, having lost many fine soldiers in many battles. They are the Zionist yeshivas and the committee is attacking hesder” Mitzne points out, highlighting the committee is not conducting itself in an acceptable fashion. He explained that the law was intended to bring in chareidim, to have them share the burden and now, the hesder yeshivos are under attack.
“I am not at all satisfied with the law and remain uncertain as how I will vote. This law if passed will not solve the problem, but rather it will increase the tensions between communities. I may be a coalition member but from time-to-time there are issues that contradict one’s beliefs and I must weigh this issue towards deciding how I will vote…The coalition has many problems, including this law. We recently heard both Yesh Atid and Bayit Yehudi have threatened to break away, each with its own agenda. This coalition my break apart and a new coalition may be formed” he concluded.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
I believe he is saying the government should move faster at getting all hareidim out of yeshiva and into the army. This is a path to the confrontation which will reduce the options to two: abolish the hareidi community in Eretz Yisrael (though exile or assimilation into the zionist community), or replacement of the zionist regime with a non-Jewish one. For many, both are bad choices. We should be looking for ways that avoid overly traumatic change, since such changes are “messy”.