Haredi conscription law will cast a shadow over Israeli society: Gantz

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli Media
12 Aug 2023 12:05
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Opposition member Benny Gantz announces his party's readiness to work with the government on a 'fairer' conscription law.

Israel's former Security Minister Benny Gantz joins protesters rallying at the western wall in occupied Al-Quds, Palestine, July 23, 2023. (AFP)

The former occupation Minister of Security, Benny Gantz, has reportedly said that the proposed law will lead "Israel" to dangerous internal conflict that will ail the occupation army and the cohesion of the Israeli society, according to the Israeli Makan news channel.

Gantz viewed the law in bad light adding that his party will work with the ruling coalition to suggest an alternative plan which would achieve the widest consensus possible, explaining that the current form lacks "equality."

The former occupation minister said the law could not be pushed forward alongside the controversial judicial overhaul. As he indicated the governing coalition realizes the extent of popular opposition to the conscription law, however, it has no choice but to move forward with the proposition due to promises made to Haredim members of the coalition.

It is worth noting that the leaders of the Haredim conveyed a message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week stating that they would work to dissolve the government if the law, which exempts students of religious institutions from military service, is not passed at the next Knesset session.

Coalition government hanging by a thread

Citing closed-door conversations published by a journalist on the Kikar Shabbat website, Shas party leader Aryeh Deri and United Torah Judaism party leader Isaac Goldknopf rejected any further obstruction and demanded a new conscription law before continuing to work on judicial amendments.

In those conversations, Deri and Goldknopf issued a warning saying, "If the government wants to proceed with legislation, it is linked to compulsory conscription."

"It is evident to Netanyahu that the conscription law will pass at the beginning of the winter session, but without the conscription law, this government will not survive," Deri warned.

Goldknopf, in turn, said, "We received an order from the Council of Torah Sages: Without conscription law - resign from the government. There will be no further postponement in the legislation."

Amid concerns about its role in pushing for the overthrow of the occupation government, Israeli parties warned against the projects proposed by MKs from the ruling coalition in "Israel" regarding amending the conscription law, which contribute to the "disintegration of the army."

The proposed amendment would largely exempt the Haredim from compulsory military service.

Legislation proposed by both Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Security Minister Yoav Galant perpetuates inequality among Israelis in terms of bearing the burden of military service, Israeli media said.

In an analysis prepared by political commentator Ariel Kahana, the newspaper warned that "it is neither fair nor logical for one Jew to be obligated to perform military service while another Jew is exempted simply because he was born into a specific faction."

Smotrich proposed that the Haredim be exempted from military service once they reach the age of 21 instead of the current age of 26, while Galant proposes that the exemption be granted when the Haredi youth reaches the age of 23.

The issue of Haredi recruitment has been a contentious topic in "Israel", amid calls that the Haredim should participate in military or civil service instead of enjoying near-complete exemption in accommodation of their religious studies.