In the absence of a law exempting the ultra-Orthodox (Haredim) from military service, tens of thousands have received draft orders. A few evaders caught by police have been arrested. This has led to a “declaration of war” by the Haredi community. Haredi politicians have competed with each other in issuing threats about the bitter fate that would befall Israeli society if the “war on the Torah world continues.” But they soon discovered that they were scaring no one. Simply put, the Haredi contribution to the State of Israel – its economy and core institutions – is so meager that even if they went on strike tomorrow morning, it wouldn’t significantly disrupt life in Israel. Hopefully, the image reflected back at them from this mirror will inspire some moral self-examination.

Even after nearly three years of a right-wing-Haredi government, a new conscription law is nowhere in sight. Given the ongoing war, the unending burden of reserve duty borne by many Israelis, with so many wounded or dead, even Netanyahu’s government cannot manage to pass yet another draft-evasion law for its allies who categorically refuse to share the heavy security burden. 

And so, the Haredim now find themselves in the worst position they’ve been in since first receiving sweeping draft exemptions........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)