The editorial concentrates rightly on the fact that the withdrawal of the ultra-orthodox parties from the government coalition creates an opportunity for correcting an unreasonable division in the country. It is neither equitable nor reasonable that a large section of the Israeli population is not sharing in the obvious necessity for the defense of the country. However it is not only the Haredi population that is largely absent from the IDF; there are some in the secular population who also fail to pull their weight and then there are the Arabs, who are not obligated to serve in the IDF, but some of them, especially most of the Druze, do.
It’s time to forget about setting future dated quotas for Yeshivas, and talking of percentages and possible removal of subsidies to those that underperform. Our society provides many benefits to its citizens regardless of race or creed. It is time to make these benefits, such as child allowances, subsidized kindergartens, pre-school child care and subsidized housing conditional on service in the IDF or at least some equivalent public service. This is a simple solution, fair to all and easily implemented. Even if it doesn’t achieve an immediate 100% compliance with the draft, it will at least reduce the costs of the benefits to the country.
In the case of the Yeshivot, the support they receive should also be made conditional on their agreement to allow a one week course, taught by IDF Rabbis, to explore the Halacha pertaining to military service. This would be compulsory for classes of boys approaching army age. The course would also explain the special arrangements the IDF makes for Haredi soldiers.
These changes, which apply to individuals, require no discussion or agreement by Haredi rabbis and would do more to achieve results than any compromises worked out with the Haredi leadership.
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