To draft or not to draft?

There are currently 40,000 Yeshiva students in Israel holding temporary IDF draft exemptions. The issue of their service affects Israeli society and national life in many ways. We bring below a few ideas for addressing these issues using online newspaper articles and the information on this page. Background Information A. Recommended reading online: Ha'aretz Website in English URL http://www.haaretz.com Tuesday, May 12, 1998 News Section 1. Barak submits Haredi draft bill, By Dalia Shehori, Ha'aretz Correspondent 2. United Torah: 'No compromise' on army draft exemption committee, By Shahar Ilan, Ha'aretz Religious Affairs Correspondent Features Section 3. For ultra-Orthodox women, the work is never done, By Shahar Ilan The Jerusalem Post Daily Internet Edition on http://www.jpost.co.il/ Tuesday, May 12, 1998 16 Iyar 5758 News Section 4. Barak submits bill for drafting yeshiva students, By Liat Collins B. Information Round-Up Originally, David Ben Gurion exempted from IDF service 400 Yeshiva students whose sole purpose in life was Torah; Menachem Begin lifted this restriction shortly after becoming Prime Minister. The ultra-orthodox population has in fact increased many times over since 1948, as Israel has drawn Torah students by the excellence of its Torah institutions. One of their positions is that the very study of Torah and fostering of spiritual life is also a protection for the State of Israel. Labor Party leader Ehud Barak's proposal of setting a 700 person limit to IDF service exemptions for fit adults, is a drastic cut; other proposals included in the bill are stringent provisions to verify whether applicants are indeed non-employed and to apply the law to the letter. Even strict implementation of the existing law is expected to reduce the current exempted population substantially, since it is reliably assumed that this exemption for non-working students is being laxly granted to many who actually work, but have concealed income as student grants or not declared income at all. Many Yeshiva students have served or do serve fully in the IDF, largely in the National-Religious framework of special 5 year serve & study army programs known as the Hesder yeshivot, but also as students from well-known Hassidic yeshivot. Of those with service exemptions, many will leave their studies at some point to serve in regular or elite units, and others in much shorter, Stage B courses for older, married men with families. The vast majority of the Yeshiva and Kollel population do remain outside the hallowed gates of the IDF boot camps, and there is significant public resentment in many other sectors of the population at the lack of participation in the fabric of national life. Their feeling of many young people, in particular, is that IDF service is a duty, a responsibility and that "Israelis give the best years of their lives", delay acquisition of qualifications and provision of income because of this service. In addition to this price, which they feel should be shared equitably, far too many young soldiers and officers pay the ultimate price in combat or active service. In short, this is a national issue which raises the temperature of existing public and political debate. Political lobbying apart, it should also be noted that existing restrictions on employment and only partial entitlement to National Insurance benefits, disability benefits etc. [only families with a member who has served in the IDF are able to make full claims] do mean that a significant percentage of large Yeshiva and Kollel families are well below the poverty line - even where wives are employed. Notwithstanding subsidised rental housing, free full-day education for the children with meals and the monthly grant payment - these communities have chosen to renounce much of the social safety net, endure isolation, overcrowding, poverty and the attendant health risks for the sake of their continuity of lifestyle. Activities 1. Who should serve? 2. Is it a good idea? 3. Will the Bill Pass? - Party Lines 4. Alternative debates Please note that these activities are based on values clarification processes, and require expertise in the moderation and facilitation of the discussion, particularly when it gets heated. They are therefore suitable for college students, senior high, and adult groups, with appropriate targeting. The online reading materials will assist groups with interest but limited acquaintance with the topic; all groups should relate to them at some point. Who should serve? This activity is designed for use as a trigger in the group or - more challengingly - can be transformed into a mini-survey to be reviewed at a subsequent meeting. Please choose only one answer on the scale! =============================================== Q1. What is your attitude to the importance of the IDF in Israel? ___________________________________________________ 1 2 3 4 5 totally unimportant moderately very vitally unimportant important important important Q2. What is your attitude to the idea of service in the IDF? ___________________________________________________ 1 2 3 4 5 totally unimportant moderately very vitally unimportant important important important Q3. Everyone should serve in the IDF - please say how important this is. ___________________________________________________ 1 2 3 4 5 totally unimportant moderately very vitally unimportant important important important Q4. The existing law should be changed - please say how important this is. ___________________________________________________ 1 2 3 4 5 totally unimportant moderately very vitally unimportant important important important Q5. Which of the following models would you choose for the IDF in the future? 1. Professional army only 2. Volunteer army with professional army 3. Non-student draft by lottery 4. General draft with exemption categories 5. Total draft Q6. If a new law is enacted, its overall effects will be ___________________________________________________ 1 2 3 4 5 very problematic little positive very problematic change positive Q7. If you could vote in the Knesset, would you: 1. Leave the law as it is 2. Vote for an amendment to tighten it up 3. Vote for a total draft? =============================================== Is It A Good Idea? This assignment requires 4 large pieces of colored posterboard or heavy paper, notepaper, pens and markers, pins or masking tape. With these, the group will create a 4-way chart presenting the benefits and disadvantages of the proposed new law for a. The IDF and the State of Israel b. The Yeshiva and Kollel students. Divide participants into 4 equal groups and give out copies of the articles or have them read them online from the website [requires more time!]. If working online, ask them to note any other links they find or search on the issue. Each group receives one piece of colored posterboard and one assignment - either the benefits or the disadvantages for population a. or population b. They should discuss and come up with as many options as possible, copying them onto the posterboard. To assist the preparation, please see the sample chart below. Pin the chart to the wall or tape on the floor either as 4 side by side charts or in a 2x2 format. Participants have time to examine the chart and note which items appear more than once in different columns - on the plus or minus side for either or both populations! Review: Go round the group asking if anyone wishes to add to the lists. Ask which were the most problematic issues and which were the most relevant to the participants. Ask whether, on the whole, participants as individuals feel that the law could be of benefit - and why. Sample Chart A. IDF & the State of Israel Benefits Disadvantages Spreading & reducing defense load more equitably across the population Enhancing the democratic processes of involvement Ensuring all citizens can defend themselves and their country Reservoir of more trained soldiers Improved human resources for labor-intensive and analytical jobs in the IDF Possibility of accrued tax revenue as students with earnings are registered as taxpayers Greater representation of Jewish life and traditions in the IDF Creating openness to diversity, social coexistence and creating social cohesion within the IDF IDF specializations improve general level of education in the population Greater state budget required to run larger army; provide extended general education ; and more specialized training for recruits Greater state budget required to make full National Insurance payments, family benefits for invalids, in families where 1 member has served in the IDF, instead of partial payments Poor motivation to serve makes poor soldiers Expectations of psychological problems with weapons or combat situations Poor physical fitness expected in many More time required to train recruits to operational level Potential for greater politicization of the IDF Stringent religious requirements will have counter-productive effect on function of IDF Anticipated friction in ranks and with officers Cultural and behavioral differences Potential cause of emigration from Israel of 17-16 year old men Potential for decline or loss of Torah institutions in Israel B. Yeshiva & Kollel Students Benefits Disadvantages Ensuring all citizens can defend themselves and their country Enhanced involvement gives a greater voice in Israeli society Acquisition of professional and vocational skills Entitlement to full rates of National Insurance payments for themselves and their families during and post-service. Fear of susceptibility of young religious men to secular influences and lifestyle Not motivated to serve - will be unhappy Stringent religious requirements in an unsuitable environment Draft process will funnel many into income tax payments or many decide not to work at all to be eligible for exemption, generating further financial hardship in the community. Enormous political opposition will be generated by and against them Might prefer to leave the country and their families rather than serve in IDF Will the Bill Pass? - Party Lines Using the Knesset line-up below, with the Observations, participants can read up on Knesset Parties and Members starting from url http://www.israel-mfa.gov.il/gov/mklist.html explore the party positions in groups of 5 and discuss whether they think the bill will pass. The documents can be downloaded and copied ahead of time. Review: If the 2 major parties enforce voting along party lines, what will be the result in terms of the vote? If the ruling Likud coalition loses the vote by a narrow margin, what will be the constitutional and social implications? [see: Elections] In terms of Labor's function as the Opposition to the Government, how do you interpret the presentation and passing of this law? [hint: vote of no confidence in the government] What would you suggest as an alternative measure which would be more acceptable to all concerned? ================================================ Party Line-up Name MKs For Against Observations ___________________________________________________________ Likud- 23-1 some most? The Likud has signed coalition Tzomet 4 1 1 agreements with religious -Gesher 5 probably parties, but several Likud MKs Total 32-1 feel strongly for the Bill incl. ex Likud member Ronnie Milo; Rafael Eitan and Motti Zanberg are for total draft. ___________________________________________________________ Labor 34 most one or two? ___________________________________________________________ Shas 10 all An outside partner to coalition with ministerial posts. Could lead to government crisis if they vote against the government and if the bill is passed into law. ___________________________________________________________ NRP 9 unlikely probably The NRP believes in active military service but encourages group recruitment via Hesder yeshivot for 5 years. Not expected to vote for coercion; would prefer cooperation. ____________________________________________________________ MERETZ 9 all ____________________________________________________________ YISRAEL 7 most? few? Would have problems with BE'ALIYA coalition if vote for bill. ____________________________________________________________ HADASH 5 all [DFPE] & NDA ____________________________________________________________ UNITED 4 all Have threatened national schism TORAH will ensue. JUDAISM _____________________________________________________________ 3rd WAY 4 most possible Form part of government coalition with ministerial posts; potential cabinet crisis _____________________________________________________________ ADR - 4 all UNITED ARAB LIST _____________________________________________________________ MOLEDET 2 all _____________________________________________________________ Alternative debates   These are suitable from age 13 upwards. A. Formal debate: 2 speakers for and 2 against on a motion, "This house believes that all Israelis should serve in the IDF". Moderator and floor debate, followed by vote. B. Mini-Knesset: Organize a debate along Knesset party lines using the above Line-up, articles and linking to 1996 Elections materials for background and preparation. Appoint a Knesset Speaker and run the debate with strict time limits for each party representative before calling the vote. Can be extended by intervals with parties being assigned banner-making and heckling. C. Hyde Park: Allow preparation time for reading and discussing the issue. Prepare the "Park". One person at a time may mount the platform and speak to the assembled standing crowd. Heckling allowed, but no pulling or pushing. Time-out for discussion after about 15-20 minutes.