Tel Aviv [Israel], June 16 (ANI/TPS): The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt General Herti Halevi spoke out in favour of drafting Ultra-Orthodox Israelis into the Israeli military when he held a situation assessment and tour of the central Gaza Strip on Friday.
“We want to expand the base [of people available for military service] as much as possible,” said the Chief of Staff. “I tell you that there is an opportunity for change in ultra-Orthodox society as well, not extensive enough, but there is a desire for change. We want to go forward not because it’s beautiful, first of all because we have to. The battalion we are building today, which holds a sector in the Jordan Valley, holds a sector in Judea and Samaria, holds a defensive sector here.”
“Each regular regiment like this, which we establish, is ultra-Orthodox, it removes the call-up of many thousands of reservists thanks to compulsory regularisation,” continued Halevi.
He also said that today there is a “clear need” for extra manpower and therefore “we strongly encourage it, and we want to do it Right.”
“Now, people do it, and I know it’s hard, by the way it’s completely natural, someone who’s already close to eight months for a bit of a break,” said the Chief of Staff about all of the Israelis who were called up for continuous reserve military duty since the Hamas massacre of October 7.
There has been a debate in Israel for years over whether or not to end draft deferments for Ultra-Orthodox who study Tora in yeshivas. Over time, the deferments become de facto exemptions. Since October 7, the sentiment in the country in favour of drafting the Ultra-Orthodox has grown. (ANI/TPS)
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