Israel Matzav

'Suckers tent' trying to recruit revenants

The 'suckers tent' - the group that claims to be seeking equality in army service - set up shop in Efrat on Friday, in a bid to recruit some of that town's residents for its cause. Efrat has one of the highest percentages of soldiers serving in combat units in the country (Hat Tip: Aryeh Z).

The tent organizers are aware that while residents of Yehuda and Shomron do have much in common with the chareidi tzibur, they feel IDF service is a holy mission and therefore, they are optimistic that they will succeed in bringing the settlers on board to further isolate the chareidi community.

On erev shabbos 18 Sivan 5772, a tent will be set up in Efrat, the largest community in Gush Etzion, home to thousands of families, to express opposition to deal-making between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and chareidi parties.

The tent will be situated at an entrance to the community under the banner “You Promised? Then Fulfill!” Members of Knesset and community leaders have signaled they plan to attend to show their support. The organizers also plan to sign Gush Etzion residents to their petition demanding the government compel chareidim to serve in the IDF.

I wonder how those who demand 'equality' will look at the fact that many of Efrat's soldiers are in hesder and therefore 'only' serve 15 months of active duty rather than the full three years. I also wonder how they will compare the high risk combat duty done by the Efrat soldiers with the desk jobs that are common fare in places like Ramat Aviv and Kfar Shmaryahu - those being two places whose residents are prominently behind the 'suckers tent.'

Oh yeah - and lest you think this has anything to do with equality, it seems that the mandate of the Plesner Commission doesn't include everyone.

"The Attorney General and Legal Advisor to the Government informed the committee uner MK Yohanan Plesner that deals with enlisting everyone, that enlistment of Arabs is not within its purview," Rotem told reservist protesters in the "Suckers' Tent," which is currently visiting Efrat.

The Legal Advisor's decision was communicated to the committee by his deputy, Attorney Mike Blass, who explained that the Tal Law that was struck down by the High Court, leading to the committee's formation, only dealt with hareidim.

Israeli Arab leaders have said that they will boycott the committee. Hareidim, too, are not cooperating with it but it may nonetheless recommend sanctions against draft-age hareidim who avoid military or national service.

And you wonder why the Charedim think the goal of the Plesner Commission is to 'get' them?

Labels: Haredim, IDF

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:25 PM