Lapid: 28 thousand Haredim to be released this year to work

As on every week, Minister of Finance Yair Lapid published on Saturday night his letter to members of the Yesh Atid movement. Lapid writes, among other things, that the return of the political issue to our lives is further proof – to those in need of proof – that most of the important processes do happen 'under the radar'. "On Monday Phil Gordon, senior advisor to President Obama on the Middle East, was at me. He came up with my friend Dan Shapiro, the U.S. ambassador in Israel, and we had a long conversation during which each of us tried to understand how much the other is committed to the process, and how far he is willing to go.

It will not be easy, I said to him, but even though Kerry did a good job bringing the two parties to the table, the president would have to be part of the process sooner or later. We both know there is one thing he can do and change the whole atmosphere in Israel - and that is to release Jonathan Pollard.

Beyond that, I told him that I - and Yesh Atid – are totally committed to the peace process. We said that in the elections, we said that during the coalition negotiations, and we say it again now. To our advantage, even in this case, is our ability to act as a group. Our faction meetings do not leak to the press, but when we leave we know how to work together. Our 19 MKs continue to be the most cohesive group in the Knesset and the government. Our opponents can continue to be cynical, but the new politics works.

The first serious test will be the issue of the prisoner release. On Thursday, Perry and I met with representatives of the families of terror victims, and they tried to convince us to oppose the release of prisoners who killed their families. It was a charged and painful conversation with people you want to embrace, but despite the difficulty I told me we will not accede to their demands. My first obligation is to attempt to prevent the victims of the future. Indeed no one promises that talks will succeed, it is right that the past is full of painful failures, but we can not stop trying.

And last week in the Knesset, with the first reading, the law of equality burden passed. The Haredim of course turned the debate into a circus, they sang and danced, blew the shofar, tore kria, and at the height of the event MK Porush tied himself handcuffed to the Knesset podium. The ushers worked hard and released him, but I want to say that as a liberal who supports civil rights I protest that adamantly. If Porush wants to tie himself to the podium handcuffed, one should leave him there. At one point in the evening I went and reminded the MKs why we went into this move and why we have no intentions to give up."

Lapid further writes: "The discussion continued until after five in the morning, after which the law passed by a large majority. Even the Labor Party voted for our law, and I appreciate it and think they have proven this time that the benefit of the country is more important to them than the regular opposition – coalition games. In addition I should perhaps mention - even to you - the real facts about the layout of equality of burden. First of all because unlike all the legends and false propaganda – it does not go into effect for another four years, but as soon as it passes the third reading.

Here are the basic facts: 28,000 haredim will receive a message this year that they are released for work and need not be in a yeshiva any longer. The number of haredim serving in the coming year will rise. Within three years, more than 70% of the haredi population will serve the country.

For the first time - recruitment targets are defined by law - an exemption to 1800 "masmidim" only. The rest serve. Deferment will be allowed until the age of 21 only. Only the IDF may determine who will be deferred and who will not.

The Directorate of Civil Service shall be established under the Ministry of Economy and will create service lines which will give professional tools and help them find work later. Studies show that 87% of haredim serving integrate after their service in he workforce.

Enforcement and supervision – sanctions will be imposed on yeshivos whose students will not serve. The money will simply stop arriving. On yeshiva students who will receive a draft notice and not show up, criminal liability will be imposed.

Speaking of religion and state: I admit I was not particularly involved in the election of the Chief Rabbinate (in one interview I said I'm not exactly the target audience ....), but the election of two Orthodox rabbis saddens me. There are other streams of Judaism – crocheted kippas, Reform, Conservative and others - and it's a shame that we are now condemned to ten years of stagnation."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!