Peri Committee: Army will not capture haredi boys • Sanctions to be imposed

The Peri Committee for equality of burden continues to formulate its conclusions: a haredi who will not show up at an induction center will be declared a deserter – as reported this morning (Monday) by the newspaper Israel Hayom. That means that after a period of no shows, the yeshiva student will be punished with a series of sanctions. Among them, an exit delay, denial of Social Security, and more.

The committee will meet today in the Prime Minister's office for one of the last meetings prior to submitting the alternative bill for equal burden.

It appears that the Military Police will not raid the concentrations of haredim in order to capture all deserters. Instead, restrictions on their movement will be imposed, property tax discounts will be canceled as well as other economic sanctions.

Next to the stick, the Commission also offers a carrot – institutions which will send youngsters to the induction center will receive an addition to their budget. Likewise, haredi boys who will enlist to civilian service, will be transferred to the Ministry of Economy, headed by Minister Naftali Bennett. Anyone wishing to fit in work during his civil service - will receive approval and will serve only 30 hours a week instead of 45.

Minister of Yesh Atid acts not to extend the service of "Hesder" students

The committee also discussed the status of religious-national yeshiva students, the Hesder yeshivos. While the recruiting outline for haredim should include two years of service, these yeshiva students currently enlist to a service of 16 months. Education Minister Shay Piron appealed to members of the committee to leave this situation and not extend the service of religious- Zionist students.

"The extension of the active service of Hesder yeshiva students for two years, and comparing it to other tracks, can be a fatal blow to this important enterprise," wrote Peron. "The designation of the Hesder yeshivos is to grow Zionist Torah sages with a spiritual and religious power and national outlook." Piron explained later in his letter that even if it is appropriate to examine the course of the Hesder, "a one–sided extension of the course may hurt us all."

Peron ended his letter: "It is inconceivable that especially at this time when religious Zionism is a senior partner in the leadership of the country, the result of a process of equality burden, which is primarily designed to integrate a non-partner, will actually harm the Zionist Torah world which is instrumental to spiritual leadership which is connected to the state and society. Such a step, more than it can bring together and unite, sends a message that the world of Torah and public responsibility can not supposedly be built together. "

Peron's letter asking not to extend the service of yeshiva students contradicts things he said before the elections. "Now you want me to say everything is great, we are the best, but it does not work that way," said Peron at election time at the Alumim religious kibbutz. "The religious Zionism should also examine the Hesder course, whether it meets the criteria of equal burden. Whether it is legitimate that a boy in Shiur Daled, after returning from military service, will do the psychometric in Hesder, while his friends will continue three more years in the army?"

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!