1.
We are a country accustomed to incitement campaigns against communities. You can identify them from space, by the size of the terrible billboards on the Ayalon Highway or the reckless statements of various "former" officials who, instead of rising to the call of the hour, are still busy pointing at imaginary political enemies. The vast majority of the public has common sense; they will hold accountable those who prefer to incite against their brothers while we are fighting for our existence. I too want to see Haredim enlist en masse into the army. The ability to learn and persevere that they have shown in the study hall will also benefit the various defense missions. For example, they will be able to strengthen the research divisions in Israeli intelligence, especially by doubling down on red-teaming various assessments, an old Jewish tradition in the study of the Tora. I wish this will eventually happen, but until then, the issue must be handled with extreme care. A hate campaign will lead to the opposite results. Coercion will halt the progress made in this long process we have seen in Haredi society when it comes to integration into the state and its institutions, especially regarding military service.
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2.
The demand for Haredi conscription must come together with the issue of Torah study. Does the world of Torah have importance for the resilience of Israel as a Jewish state? Do we understand that the history of our people is drained of validity without comprehending the decisive role of the Torah in our existence as a national collective – not only a religious one – in the wilderness of nations over thousands of years? Israel is a modern state with excellent scientific institutions, advanced technology, and a strong economy, but it also needs an essential part within it that will preserve the profound core of our identity as Jews; not external preservation, but in-depth study in the towering textual and intellectual edifice that we have built over our thousands of years. A deep understanding of this matter, as an imperative for the nation's existence, is the litmus test for the sincerity of those debating the issue.
Video: 160 packages of food and medical equipment were airdropped into southern Gaza / Credit: X/@idf
3.
Those speaking about Haredi conscription, equality, and sharing the burden, but do not include the Arab public in their demand, reveal that they do not have good-faith motives; rather, they seek to drive a wedge between members of the Coalition and keep open the possibility of an alternative coalition with the Arab parties. But the Arabs, as citizens of Israel, have duties alongside rights. Therefore, if we speak of equality of burden, they too should be required to do national service at the very least. It is hard to avoid thinking what would have been the fate of the idea of conscripting the Haredim, had the Opposition parties needed the drafting targets to form a government. In what section they would have buried the demand without protests from certain media outlets? We would have heard a very different tune…
What will happen if tens of thousands of Haredim enlist in the army? Is the army really prepared for this? If we are sincere in demanding equality, then we must provide suitable conditions for the Haredi soldier so he does not lose his identity. Does a comprehensive plan exist or is this just empty slogans?
4.
The incitement does not stop with the Haredim; the religious Zionists have also been subject to their share of tirades. What do you know, they study Torah and postpone military service. Many of them enlist for combat afterward and serve decades in the reserves. Some do shortened service, but that group eventually becomes the staff at the excellent religious Zionist institutions, which produced the heroes of the current war. These courageous fighters, who have been showing tremendous valor, are graduates of those yeshivot and preparatory programs. Their proportion among the fallen in this conflict is far beyond their share of the population. They draw their fighting spirit from those who sat many years in the study hall and passed on to them the profound ideas of Torah and state, exile, and redemption, as well as the concept of lending a helping hand when their fellow Jews are under attack from enemies.
What message does the Haredim receive from the incitement campaign against religious Zionists ("the messianics")? The message they get is that even if they were to enlist, the haters would find ways to direct their hatred at them on some other pretext.
5.
Having said all this, I dream of a day when the state leadership will enter the homes of Haredi leaders, close the door, and say to them gently: now it's your turn to carry the Zionist stretcher; we can no longer pursue this mission alone. The time has come for you to join us in leading the state: Future state leaders, economic leaders, and military leaders will also emerge from among your fold. That day will come because it is not a dream.
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