Israel Matzav

IDF: Um... we'd rather not draft all the Haredim

Well, what a surprise. The IDF would rather not have to conduct a universal draft of Haredim (ultra-Orthodox Jews).

In the brief, obtained by Ynet, the State said that the complex preparations required from the IDF ahead of the draft strains the military's current resources and that a larger draft "is not feasible and will hurt the military."

The State argues that a universal draft will force the IDF to invest considerable funds in infrastructure which most likely will be rendered useless within a short while.

"Making the IDF divert such fund to facilitate this change will infringe on its ability to meet its primary missions and goals."

The brief explained that Tal Law stated a draft goal of 2,400 haredim by 2015; but the military now has to induct 19,500 ultra-Orthodox recruits in the same time period.

Absorbing such numbers into the military required the IDF to build more dedicated bases, so to accommodate the soldiers' demand for the separation of men and women, as well as create new men-only battalions, for the same reason.

Another challenge, according to the State, is the IDF's own ability to screen haredi candidates – a process which also mandates the formation of all-male teams in every level of the induction bases: interviewers, doctors, placement coordinators and so on.

The IDF will also have to create a special series of aptitude tests, suited for the background and way of life of potential ultra-Orthodox recruits.

In other words, despite the Left's best efforts, the IDF still believes that its job is to defend the country and not to be the melting pot of 'Israeliness.' Kol HaKavod l'Tzahal! 

Labels: Haredim, IDF

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 3:01 PM