Ultra-Orthodox hold Israel army draft demo
Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox men have blocked a major Jerusalem intersection to protest attempts to force them to register for Israel’s military draft.
Israeli police stand guard as ultra-Orthodox Jewish men and boys block a bus from crossing Jaffa Street in central Jerusalem Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, to protest attempts to force them to register for Israel’s military draft.. Photo: Maya Alleruzzo/AP
Military service is mandatory for most Jewish Israeli men, but the ultra-Orthodox often receive exemptions in order to continue their religious studies.
The exemptions have long infuriated secular Israelis, but ultra-Orthodox communities have resisted repeated attempts to force them to register for the draft.
During Thursday’s protest, the black-clad religious demonstrators blocked traffic at a main intersection near the entrance to the city and chanted: “I will not join the army of destruction.”
Police said they were trying to restore order.
AAP
As children up to aged 18 surely they have had plenty of religious instruction? During Army national service they can still attend a religious gathering when not on duty. The conclusion has to be that they are using religion as they are either lazy or gutless. This will mean that female IDF soldiers may have to do the duty that these men are not doing.
So they ‘will not join the army of destruction’, but they will continue to live in Israel with all the benefits received as citizens while the so-called army of destruction strives to protect Israeli lives.
The ultra-orthodox should face their individual responsibilities as citizens of the state. Others have to go out and earn a living to survive and do not have the privilege of a life of study only. The education syllabus at religious schools should also be brought into line to include the broad agenda of secular education, which befits people to live in the real world.
Cowards!!!! They want others to work and and do the Tzavah for them.
If they don’t recognize the State of Israel, get out!
It is not just secular Israelis who see such an evasion of national duty an anathema, so do the thousands of kippah wearers who have and continue to serve,
Yet these people expect the Israeli Army to defend them, of course.