Not everything is for sale!
79% Israelis oppose laws to legalize draft dodging by yeshiva students
A new survey reveals how strongly the Israeli public is opposed to the demand of the ultra-Orthodox parties to pass a new 'Basic Law: Torah study', as well as an amendment to the Defense Service Law to legalize the continued draft dodging of most yeshiva students.
05/03/2018 13:06
Tags: IDF · ultra-Orthodox parties · draft · draft dodging · yeshivas · yeshiva students · United Torah Judaism · Shas
A new Hiddush survey, conducted by the Smith Polling Institute reveals how strongly the Israeli public is opposed to the demand of the ultra-Orthodox parties to pass a new 'Basic Law: Torah study', as well as an amendment to the Defense Service Law to legalize and legitimate the continued draft dodging of most yeshiva students from either military or civilian service.
Among those who expressed their opinions, 79% of the adult Jewish public opposed the demand of ultra-Orthodox parties, including a large majority of voters for the civil coalition parties [81% of the Likud voters, 91% - Kulanu, 88% - Jewish Home, 94% - Yisrael Beiteinu]! An even larger majority of voters for the opposition parties were against this legislation [100% - Yesh Atid, 95% - Zionist Union, 96% - Meretz].
At stake is not only the principle of sharing Israel's civic burden, but also the question of whether there is a limit to the obsequiousness of the civil parties in dealing with the ultra-Orthodox politicians' blackmail (and the rabbis who pull their strings). This is a test for both the coalition parties and for the opposition parties, in view of the broad public opposition to the demands of the ultra-Orthodox parties. Now it is clearer than ever that the public will call to account those who continue to treat equality of civic burden and blood as up for sale. In light of the compelling findings, Hiddush fully expects, as does the general public, the ruling Coalition parties and the Opposition parties to declare unequivocally, 'No!' They must make it clear that they will not buy the ultra-Orthodox parties' political support at the price of spitting in the public's face and spitting in the faces of their very own constituents. This clear statement must be heard because not everything is for sale, and the general Israeli public has principles too!
This telephone survey was conducted by the Smith Institute on February 28 and March 1, 2018, among a representative sample of Israel's adult Jewish population. The sampling error is ±4.5%. The wording of the question was as follows:
"The ultra-Orthodox parties threaten not to support the state budget and demand the passage of a new 'Basic Law: Torah study', as well as an amendment to the Defense Service Law - so that Torah study will be recognized as a supreme value [by the State] and yeshiva students will continue being exempt from military service in contravention of the Supreme Court's rulings. What is your opinion about the demand to pass these laws?"
Hiddush proposed that a generous quota of service exemptions be set for outstanding Torah scholars, much like the State's approach to outstanding musicians, athletes, and scientists.
A review of the findings reveals that a considerable percentage of the respondents replied that they had no opinion on the matter [13%]. Also, the percentage opposing these laws is smaller among the younger age group [up to 29 years old]. This is mainly due to the fact that this age group has a much larger percentage of ultra-Orthodox Israelis than the older groups.
Further, the percentage of respondents who did not express an opinion is particularly high among the Zionist Orthodox public [24%], and among the traditional-religious public [20%]. While 17% of Likud voters did not express an opinion, among voters for the Zionist camp only 5% offered no response (Party Chairman Gabbay should take note!). As expected, opposition to the ultra-Orthodox parties' demand is particularly high among immigrants from the former Soviet Union.
HIDDUSH'S POSITION
- Hiddush supports the principle of equality of civic burden, and at the same time the recognition of the importance of Torah study in a Jewish and democratic state. Therefore we proposed that a generous quota of service exemptions be set for outstanding Torah scholars, much like the State's approach to outstanding musicians, athletes, and scientists. These individuals [about 1,400 per year, out of 8,500 per year] should be selected based on objective criteria and receive a respectable subsistence stipend.
- As for the rest, the IDF will recruit those suitable for its needs, and the remaining will be required to do civil/national service.
- Hiddush does not believe that imprisoning draft dodgers among yeshiva students is practical, given today's reality. Sanctions should mainly be on the economic and civil level.
It may be impossible to recruit yeshiva students under the threat of criminal sanctions, but there is no reason for the state to continue supporting them from the public coffers. The sanctions should include, for example, the denial of scholarships and other benefits currently received by these yeshiva students; as well as other sanctions, similar to those against husbands who refuse to grant their wives their desired divorces (to give them a traditional 'gett'). Further, support from taxpayers' monies for yeshivas should be withdrawn from those that choose to harbor draft dodgers.