Some came to Israel to serve the Jewish state. Haredim are rewarded for refusing to help - opinion

Over the course of this war, some individuals served as combat soldiers and commanders in Maglan. Most returned home when off duty, enjoying a real meal prepared by their loved ones and relaxing with their families. However, not everyone experienced this luxury, facing challenges such as laundry, lack of clean sheets, and transportation to the train station on Sundays.

These "lone soldiers" embody the strength, resilience, and sacrifice of Israel, representing the best of what the nation offers. Unfortunately, this story highlights a fundamental flaw in society: while some carry Israel's burden on their backs, others enjoy the benefits of its security without contributing to it. The gap between these groups continues to widen.

Lone soldiers, many from haredi (ultra-Orthodox) or disadvantaged backgrounds, serve despite immense obstacles and often face hostility. Meanwhile, thousands of young men in Bnei Brak are effectively being paid by the government not to serve. This situation is immoral, unfair, unsustainable, and puts Israel in severe danger. With ten thousand soldiers short, the threat is imminent.

To address this, Naftali Bennett's plan suggests redirecting billions of shekels from those who do not serve to those who do. Additionally, funding should only be provided to ultra-Orthodox schools that prepare students for Israeli society and the 21st-century economy, while integrating ultra-Orthodox men into the army and workforce through frameworks similar to hesder yeshivas.

This approach aims to lighten the burden on reservists, including lone soldiers in the reserves, who have been called up repeatedly since October 7, 2023.