Israel Matzav: Haredi representative quits Plesner Committee

Monday, July 02, 2012

Haredi representative quits Plesner Committee

Attorney Yaakov Weinroth, who had been representing Haredi interests at the Plesner Committee, submitted his resignation on Sunday because the Committee is threatening to implement individual sanctions against Haredim who do not submit to the draft. Meanwhile, the real action seems to be taking place outside the Committee.

Weinroth sent a letter in which he stated that the committee acted irresponsibly in handling the sensitive issue of recruiting haredim into the IDF. According to Weinroth, "Forceful actions, even if they deliver results in the short-run, are destructive in the long-run.

"In my opinion, issuing personal sanctions will put an end to the process of integrating the haredi public and create disaffection that will thwart any effort to reach a solution," he wrote.

Earlier on Sunday, sources in the Likud said that members from Kadima and Shas parties held talks during the day in order to try to resolve differences vis-à-vis the Tal Law.

According to one of the sources, "the gaps regarding military service for haredim have diminished, however Kadima is still refusing to change their mind regarding Arab enlistment."

Interior Minister Eli Yishai told Ynet that the sides did not reach an understanding over whether to issue personal sanctions against individuals who do not enlist into the IDF. "We never agreed and will never agree to it," he said, adding that Shas won't accept personal sanctions under any circumstances.

Officials in the Plesner Committee confirmed that the two parties met, but denied that any substantial breakthrough had been reached during the talks. "The prime minister will be the one to decide," they said.

JPost adds:

Negotiations have shifted from the Keshev Committee to quiet, behind-the-scenes talks between Kadima and Shas politicians. Shas denied reports on Channel 2 and Channel 10 Sunday night that the party had agreed for the first time to permit "light personal sanctions" to be allayed on Yeshiva students who evade IDF service.

Channel 2 reported that senior Shas officials stated they would not leave the coalition if the sanctions are decided upon, on the condition that this will complete the bill that is currently being formulated, with no additional demands.

According to the Channel 10 report, ultra-Orthodox party representatives agreed that haredim who do not enlist in the army will not receive housing benefits. In return, they asked for the quota of haredim exempt from army service to be increased.

And by the way, if the Haredim are drafted, the IDF's budget - and maybe your taxes - will be going up.

On Sunday, commander of the IDF Central Command Maj.-Gen. Nitzan Alon said that the IDF can absorb into its ranks as many recruits from the ultra-Orthodox community as the state decides to draft.

Alon also noted that drafting haredi men at a more advanced age, relatively speaking, would have significant budgetary ramifications, since men from the community marry young and have children at an early age.

All soldiers are entitled to a supplementary army income if they are married with children, so recruiting ultra-Orthodox men at an older age is more costly for the IDF.

That makes you wonder why they're bothering.

Labels: Haredim, IDF