Enforce the draft, but don't punish haredi kids for their fathers refusal to serve - opinion
Whether haredim must serve (many already do, in the Hashmonaim Brigade) is a hard argument between citizens. Settling it by controlling who eats is not an argument at all. It is a tactic.
The state of Israel is facing a contentious issue regarding the draft and its impact on the ultra-Orthodox community, particularly haredi (ultra-Orthodox) students. After the High Court of Justice ruled in June 2024 that there is no legal basis for exempting yeshiva students from the draft, sanctions have intensified. Yeshivas are losing funding for draft-age students, and family subsidies, such as daycare support, are being denied to families whose fathers are classified as draft evaders, even if the father is employed.
This proposal stems from the idea that the state will provide for a haredi father's children only if he serves in the military, but not if he does not.
The proposed tactic of linking benefits to military service has historical precedents, such as during the Soviet era when non-laborers were disenfranchised and denied benefits. The argument mirrors those used during the Soviet regime, where the state decided what constituted work and then provided for those who complied. This tactic has been employed in various forms across history, from the Soviet Union to Nazi Germany, and even in Jewish tradition, where the concept of a Levi, who is exempt from military service, is not one of a parasite but one who receives support from the community.
The writer argues that enforcing a draft based on this principle is not a democratic approach but rather a form of rationing. He emphasizes that Jewish law does not condone denying food or benefits based on a father's refusal to serve, comparing it to the Talmud's instruction that one who asks for food should be fed immediately. The writer criticizes the state's approach, noting that it does not integrate the ultra-Orthodox community but rather alienates them, potentially leading to radicalization.
Instead of coercion, the writer suggests that integration can be achieved by ensuring that the benefits of military service are accessible to all, including those learning in yeshivas. He advocates for a system where the state provides support and services to all citizens, regardless of their military status, fostering a sense of belonging and shared identity.
The writer concludes that a Jewish state that desires the participation of its most devout citizens should first create an environment where Torah is valued as a shared treasure, rather than a burden.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
