Schlaglicht Israel Nr. 12/12 Aktuelles aus israelischen Tageszeitungen 01. – 14. Juli 2012 1. Wehrpflicht für ultra ­Orthodoxe? Im Februar 2012 erklärte der Oberste Gerichtshof das sogenannte Tal-Gesetz, das ultra-orthodoxe Männer(„Haredim“) vom Wehrdienst befreit, für ungültig. Nun muss die Regierung bis August eine neue Lösung finden oder ca. 60.000 Yeshiva­Studenten einberufen. Nachdem Premierminister Benjamin Netanyahu einen damit befassten Unter­suchungsausschuss zunächst auf Druck der ultra­orthodoxen Koalitionspartner auflöste, änderte er nach einer Großdemonstrationen gegen Wehr­dienstverweigerer seinen Kurs und versprach ein Gesetz, das mehr ultra-Orthodoxe zum Wehr- oder Zivildienst bringen soll. Auch der Koalitionspartner Israel Beitenu drohte zwischenzeitlich mit einem Regierungsaustritt, sollten arabische Bürger nicht zu einem obligatorischen nationalen Dienst verpflichtet werden. Ein Großteil der israelischen Araber ist aufgrund der historischen Konfliktsituation vom Armeedienst befreit. National service is a win-win compromise "It seems that the most sensitive solution involves finding a compromise between the conflicting positions.[…] One practical solution is to expand national service. […] Volunteers would integrate into an environment suitable for them.[…] The success of haredi integration into national service depends on our ability to meet their unique needs and fully adjust programs to their way of life. […] No one is threatening the vocation of those men who devote their lives to T orah study[…]. Torah study is the foundation of the Jewish people's existence, and these people preserve the spiritual power of the Torah. At the same time, anyone who does not choose this path can perform national service and share in society's burden." Lea Nass, IHY 05.07.12 From now on, we’re just suckers “ A democratic country cannot grant more privileges – such as exemption from various civil duties – to one specific sector of society and deny other sectors the same rights.[…] Sovereign Israel can impose sanctions on haredi draft-dodgers if it wishes to do so. The government and the prime minister who heads it are willing to miss a historic opportunity to create a new, more equal society in Israel – just to avoid a rift with their‘natural partners’ in the coalition.[…] Universal service for all 18-year-olds. The voting public will not accept anything less.” Yoav Kish, JED 03.07.12 It’s time to really stop being suckers “The committee’s proposals are[…] an expansion of the inequality. How can you compare someone who spends three years[…] on a missile boat with someone who, at 23, spends a few hours a day doing‘civilian service in the community’[…]?[…] The most important difference between military and civilian service is the risk of being wounded or killed. […] Only when Haredim, too, are fighting at the front and, heaven forbid, being wounded or killed, will the Shas party's leaders really understand the horrors of war. We'll see them suddenly toning down their calls for war- a vocation at which party chairman Eli Yishai excels.” Nehemia Shtrasler, HAA 10.07.12 Historic Opportunity “Before the committee was dismissed, several of its members seemed bent on presenting suggestions that included various means of coercion which would have only exacerbated the already tense situation.[…] The facts are undeniable. In 2002 just 36 percent of the haredi population was employed; by 2010, 46% were.[…] As of May 2012, some 10,000 haredi had served in the IDF.[…] 1