"IDF operates eight Bd"tzim to answer all Haredim"

"The IDF is interested in the service of haredim. As far as we're concerned, against the shortage of manpower this is a national and operational need. We are making an effort to integrate the Haredim in all frameworks. In the coming month we will open a second new battalion of Netzach Yehudah. The IDF currently operates eight types Bd"tzim, to give a full response to the haredi conscripts. We will do everything so that the status of women in the IDF will not be harmed due to the expansion of recruiting the large circles of haredim."

The things were said by Gen. Gadi Agmon of Personnel Directorate in a meeting of the Special Committee for the Equality of Burden. The committee, headed by MK Ayelet Shaked of the Jewish Home, first convened on Thursday to discuss the government bill for the equality of burden, formulated by the Perry Committee, for its approval in a second and third reading.

Committee Chairman MK Shaked noted at the start of the meeting: "The committee deals with issues concerning the souls of many sectors of Israeli society and our responsibility as members of the committee is great. What kept the Jewish people throughout history was Torah and we must appreciate those who keep it. One should be right but also smart. Equality is an important value, but in life itself as well as in the army, there is not always absolute equality and serving in the Army Radio is not similar to service in the Golani Brigade. "

Chairman of the Government Committee which drafted the bill, Minister Yaakov Perry of Yesh Atid, said: "The government bill seeks to bring to Haredi integration in civil and military service gradually, taking into account its needs. Integration into various frameworks will contribute significantly to their financial position, will narrow gaps and will allow significant growth of the Israeli economy.

"In the near future we will offer outlines for the integration of minorities in the civil service too. The ministerial committee decided not to introduce into the bill the possibility of economic sanctions and those who pass the law, because we found that this type of punishment is not effective for the Haredi public."

Vice president of the Israel Democracy Institute, Prof. Yedidia Stern argued at the hearing: "One shouldn't think in terms of absolute equality, for this is a utopia that is not possible. Israel should continue to recognize the value of studying the Torah because it is part of the ethos of the country. The idea is to find the right balance between continuing Torah study and the value of equality. I am signing on the principle of the Perry Committee that says that every year 1800 students will remain in yeshivas and the rest will be integrated into the various frameworks.

"But it is important to understand that there is not really a practical way to choose those students who will remain in learning. There is no professional and honest way to choose them. The rabbis' committee would not cooperate in their choice. Which body will be able to determine who will be in the tent Torah and who in a pup tent. I think judicial activism of the Supreme Court against the Knesset's decisions on recruiting Haredim was wrong. The sanctions which they seek to activate by the bill must begin now, not in four years. The sanctions should be given personally to those who did not serve, but to the institutions and yeshivos themselves. One should use the economic arm to achieve the goals. I know to distinguish between "smearing" and a "wipe" and I tell you what the Perry Committee did was a smear that would return us back to the political arena."

Brigadier General (Res.) Yehuda Duvdevani who was one of the initiators and founders of the "Netzach Yehudah" battalion claimed: "Since the establishment of the regiment 15 years ago, we were able to recruit 4,500 haredi soldiers. 90 percent of them were integrated in the labor market after their release. Each year the regiment allows to release from the reserves 17 brigades, when the economic savings is 70 million. After in recent years there has been a tremendous openness in the Haredi sector to recruit, in recent months we returned backwards. We have a significant problem to integrate the Haredim in the workforce due to reluctance of employers to hire them. There is no quick fix, we must not be zealous. We must realize the process gradually."

IDF representative in the discussion, Brigadier General Gadi Agmon said: "In recent years there has been an increase in the number of prospective recruits who do not enlist for the reason of 'religious studies' from nine percent to thirteen. That is in addition to an increase in the number of women who do not enlist.

"For us the target for the coming year 2000 of haredim to enlist. Despite the haredi radicalization which occurred lately against those who choose to put on uniforms, we did not identify a decreased desire to enlist. The army is ready for the absorption of Haredim in accordance with defined volumes. The army currently operates eight types of Badatz to give a full response to all haredi conscripts. We will do everything so that the status of women serving in the IDF would not be harmed due to the expansion of the conscription of haredim."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!