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Israeli Haredim rebel against army draft plan
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| Contributor | Penguin |
| Last Edited | Penguin May 27, 2013 09:12pm |
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| Category | News |
| News Date | Tuesday, May 28, 2013 03:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Entering an ultra-Orthodox, or Haredim, neighbourhood in West Jerusalem is like entering another Israel - one where religious observance, family, and a separation from non-Orthodox people take precedence over everything else.
Boaz Naki sits around his dining table with several other male members of his Haredim community, all wearing the trademark black suits and hats. It's just a discussion about the current government's policies - but it feels like crisis talks.
Members of the government want to draft young ultra-Orthodox men into the army. Since Israel's creation in 1948, they have been exempt from the three years of military service expected of all other Israelis over age 18. The Haredim instead study the Torah in religious Yeshiva schools full time.
They are not opposed to the army and consider themselves patriots, but Naki's community has long argued its Haredim men contribute to the state through a spiritual tradition that strengthens Israel in the eyes of God.
"Through studying the Torah, Israel will be mightier than with soldiers and tanks," explained Naki. |
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