Politics is very fractured here in the US. If the democrats were ever given control of the presidency & congress, I don't think this would bode well for Israel. Now is a great time for Israel to become self sufficient with respect to military ordinance.
I am re-reading 2048 for the 3rd time. Thank you for your prescience and your continuing to provide clarity on a regular basis. Understanding of the political and social complexities are beyond challenging for us in the United States, so your perspectives resonate deeply! From within the United States, all political parties fully recognize Israel's offensive and defensive dominance as the preeminent Middle Eastern regional nuclear power. Irrespective of their "subjective interpretations" of these realities, Israeli regional relationships and drive toward ammunition independence are on our minds. We are hopeful and soberly optimistic that Israel's focus upon continued maturation of relationships with Druze (in As-Suweyda), non-combatant clans in Gaza and the West Bank, Kurds in north-northeast Syria and northwest Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran proper, India, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan will bear fruit for centuries to come. These neighbors certainly have every natural resource needed for ammunition independence. Combining regional economic/trade and mutual security opportunities with Israel's munitions technical expertise, Israel's external and internal future comes into relief. Am Yisrael Chai!!
What about integrating the Arab population into national service as well. This segment of society has also been transformed by the war, acknowledging that living in free, prosperous, democratic Israel is much better than any other Arab society led by Hamas, or other theocrats and autocrats.
Sarah Krauss, Arabs have long served in the IDF, often with distinction. Beduins, of course, have served, and Christian Arabs (men and women) as well. Recently, according to the Times of Israel, Muslim Israeli Arabs serve. Let's not distract from the issue of the Haredim refusing to serve, and the corrosive relationship created by US aid to Israel. https://www.timesofisrael.com/taboo-of-arabs-in-the-idf-is-slowly-crumbling-says-first-muslim-non-bedouin-officer/
Though it warms our integrationist and universalist hearts to see Arabs serve in the IDF, allowing them to gain military training and have an inside look at IDF ops has huge potential dangers. Realism.
As a non-Jew I may have no right to comment here, so please forgive me if that is the case. I support Israel’s war against Hamas and hope the world will soon be rid of those monsters. I was ignorant of the Haredi and find it incredulous that such a group refuses to fight for the country which permits them to seclude themselves from society while at the same time being financially and otherwise supported by that society. Rather like the illegal aliens living off the American taxpayer while contributing nothing. Shame on both groups.
I would be willing to bet illegal aliens pay more taxes per capita than the Haredi. They provide more revenue in taxes than they receive in social benefits. They also supply huge quantities of valuable labor, apparently differing from the Haredi in this regard as well. The problem is American immigration law - we need these people but can't seem to reform our laws in a way that renders their being here legal.
What? We have legal immigration procedures. You should get your facts straight. The U.S was the world leader in production without unknown millions of illegal aliens. And, many are criminals: gang bangers, child predators, murders, robbers, etc. Most Americans (see the polls) don’t want any of them here. They broke the law entering this country illegally. They can voluntarily leave, get free transportation, and $1000, then apply for return as a legal immigrant. They are welcome here. And, all legal able bodied citizens on welfare must go to work. Sick of their freeloading, also!
Illegal Aliens Contributing more to American society than Haredis contribute to Israeli society is a low bar indeed. Haredis are an economic drain on Israeli society but are also an 800 pound guérilla which can’t be ignored.
“If not for the war, the Haredi communities would have grown to be the largest single block in the society, while contributing almost nothing to it economically.”
How has the war stopped the above described situation?
Fastest growing demographic (lotsa babies/family), receive a government stipend and free healthcare but NOT be willing to do more than pray for Israel—not willing to serve in the IDF
I was outraged by them before 10/7 — no Israeli baby is more valuable than another. They are a wholly subsidized, fastest-growing segment of Israeli population, and protected class that takes from everyone but gives nothing back.
If I were a hostile nation, I would have just sat back and waited until the Haredi were numerous enough that Israel could only offer prayers to protect itself because The Haredi cannot work the weapons, and won’t fight to protect it militarily.
What is not clear from the article is what the war has done to change the problems with the Haredi community which you refer to. Has the war pushed the Haredi to serve (in non-combat roles, say) in the IDF?
A few thousand Haredi have enlisted in the IDF after 10/7 or showed up when drafted. Yes, they are put into "support" roles that they can do immediately--even distribute the mail.
When the Israeli version of the Supreme Court said drafting the Haredi was legal, the IDF initially estimated it would need 3 years to be able to accommodate the "usual number of draftees annually" who are Haredi, but that was before 10/7.
It's estimated there are at least 65,000 Haredi men of draftable age (have read estimates up to 100,000). The rabbis of the largest yeshivas in their communities have ordered the Haredi men who receive draft notices to ignore them. Which they are doing--even burning them as draft cards were burned in the US during the Vietnam War. They have also protested against being drafted in the streets -- which is not helping their cause one bit. Doing so only emphasizes the Haredi have the time and are home to protest--instead of putting their lives on the line for Israel in Gaza or Lebanon.
The far right members of Netanyahu's Knesset coalition--who represent the Haredi communities--have threatened to quit and bring down his government if the draft notices are enforced. Netanyahu even gave the Haredi an increase in their daily stipend to keep his coalition intact.
For me, I object because all Israeli babies are of equal value; those who study Torah are not--as the Haredi claim--more valuable. And it's a numbers issue. Ben Gurion gave dispensation for 400 Haredi to be exempt from the universal draft to only study Torah and pray for the Jews--less than 1% of population of Israel at that time. The Haredi are now 13% of the Israeli population, and are its fastest growing segment. The solution, to my simple brain, to let 400 Haredi men be exempt from the draft as Ben Gurion stipulated; or the same % of the total population of Israel as when Ben Gurion gave the initial dispensation. If such a small number of Haredi studying Torah and praying for the new state was sufficient to keep it safe then, that same number of Haredi should surely be sufficient now.
The rabbis and Haredi seem to honestly believe that studying Torah and prayers to G_d to protect Israel will be sufficient to keep its enemies at bay. If that is true, and they claim to have those who pray 24/7/265 to keep Israel safe, how do they explain 10/7? Their answer--not a popular one--is that Israel is too secular; the residents of Israel do not study Torah and pray enough.
I agree 100% that Israel should be independent of US weapons manufacturing but expect pushback because it is so lucrative for US weapons manufacturers. Hopefully Israel now sees the danger to their national security should democrats once again gain control.
Finally! We talked about not relying on the USA in thev1970s. Thank God the stupidity of the Lefties has finally been too big to ignore. Am Israel Chai
Although these remarks about not depending on US weapons and ammunition are theoretical and fitting, we should also remember how much the USA has helped us to fight in these various neighboring countries that are warring with us. We should show some degree of gratitude and thanks and not be too quick to offend the help received from that showing of most recent of presidential powers. In particular without the depth penetration bombs applied against the buried Iranian nuclear weapons-grade uranium production sites, using US bombers and their particular payloads, we would have had to use ground-forces to achieve the same result, and this may yet be the subsequent situation.
I don’t get it. How are the Haredi going to serve in the IDF? They refuse to do that, so will the government put them in prison? Right now Netanyahu‘s government depends on two Haredi-based parties to remain in power. Moving against the Haredi would cost Netanyahu his political power. The majority of Israelis may want to see the Haredi serve in the IDF, but there’s a big step between that desire and actually getting them to serve. Do you really think that Netanyahu will go down that path?
While I agree mostly, I disagree with you that Israel is an affluent nation. It has a relatively small number who have extremely high income and the rest of the people live with low earnings and significant stringencies. So the average income is deceptive.
I am curious why you express confidence that the Haredi issue is going to be resolved for the better. Have you not read that the government has allocated $2.7 million to subsidize draft dodgers to travel to Uman? How many of the 53,000+ draft dodgers been arrested? I just don't get the basis for optimism.
There is another issue that unites most of Israeli society: ending the war. You are right that Israel will never let a terrorist organization amass such a large force on its border again. So, therefore we can both agree there is no need to continue this senseless war. And 67% of Israeli society agrees with us, including the majority of supporters of all parties save Religious Zionism.
That's yet another issue where the government ignores the will of the vast majority. Which brings me back to wondering the basis for your optimism about the Haredi draft.
Thank you Michael. Thoroughly enjoy your insightful posts. As a Armenian Christian, I immediately think of the predicament the returning Israelis found themselves in during the time of Nehemiah. The scriptures say that Nehemiah exhorted his people to fight for their families. So, each grabbed a shovel in one hand and a sword in the other. Everyone got involved. BTW, I made a resolution this Passover, "Next year in Jerusalem!" I can't wait and will begin planning very soon. May I be so bold to ask, any suggestions on how to do so for us?
Politics is very fractured here in the US. If the democrats were ever given control of the presidency & congress, I don't think this would bode well for Israel. Now is a great time for Israel to become self sufficient with respect to military ordinance.
I am re-reading 2048 for the 3rd time. Thank you for your prescience and your continuing to provide clarity on a regular basis. Understanding of the political and social complexities are beyond challenging for us in the United States, so your perspectives resonate deeply! From within the United States, all political parties fully recognize Israel's offensive and defensive dominance as the preeminent Middle Eastern regional nuclear power. Irrespective of their "subjective interpretations" of these realities, Israeli regional relationships and drive toward ammunition independence are on our minds. We are hopeful and soberly optimistic that Israel's focus upon continued maturation of relationships with Druze (in As-Suweyda), non-combatant clans in Gaza and the West Bank, Kurds in north-northeast Syria and northwest Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran proper, India, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan will bear fruit for centuries to come. These neighbors certainly have every natural resource needed for ammunition independence. Combining regional economic/trade and mutual security opportunities with Israel's munitions technical expertise, Israel's external and internal future comes into relief. Am Yisrael Chai!!
Thank you Michael for outlining some positives in an otherwise bleak situation
What about integrating the Arab population into national service as well. This segment of society has also been transformed by the war, acknowledging that living in free, prosperous, democratic Israel is much better than any other Arab society led by Hamas, or other theocrats and autocrats.
Sarah Krauss, Arabs have long served in the IDF, often with distinction. Beduins, of course, have served, and Christian Arabs (men and women) as well. Recently, according to the Times of Israel, Muslim Israeli Arabs serve. Let's not distract from the issue of the Haredim refusing to serve, and the corrosive relationship created by US aid to Israel. https://www.timesofisrael.com/taboo-of-arabs-in-the-idf-is-slowly-crumbling-says-first-muslim-non-bedouin-officer/
Bottom line, the entire population is threatened by these maniacs who want to destroy Israel and everyone needs to serve to protect her.
Though it warms our integrationist and universalist hearts to see Arabs serve in the IDF, allowing them to gain military training and have an inside look at IDF ops has huge potential dangers. Realism.
As a non-Jew I may have no right to comment here, so please forgive me if that is the case. I support Israel’s war against Hamas and hope the world will soon be rid of those monsters. I was ignorant of the Haredi and find it incredulous that such a group refuses to fight for the country which permits them to seclude themselves from society while at the same time being financially and otherwise supported by that society. Rather like the illegal aliens living off the American taxpayer while contributing nothing. Shame on both groups.
I would be willing to bet illegal aliens pay more taxes per capita than the Haredi. They provide more revenue in taxes than they receive in social benefits. They also supply huge quantities of valuable labor, apparently differing from the Haredi in this regard as well. The problem is American immigration law - we need these people but can't seem to reform our laws in a way that renders their being here legal.
What? We have legal immigration procedures. You should get your facts straight. The U.S was the world leader in production without unknown millions of illegal aliens. And, many are criminals: gang bangers, child predators, murders, robbers, etc. Most Americans (see the polls) don’t want any of them here. They broke the law entering this country illegally. They can voluntarily leave, get free transportation, and $1000, then apply for return as a legal immigrant. They are welcome here. And, all legal able bodied citizens on welfare must go to work. Sick of their freeloading, also!
Which facts haven't I gotten straight? Be precise.
Like you were?
If I wasn't precise, please elaborate.
Illegal Aliens Contributing more to American society than Haredis contribute to Israeli society is a low bar indeed. Haredis are an economic drain on Israeli society but are also an 800 pound guérilla which can’t be ignored.
It may be a low bar, but illegal aliens in America clear it by a mile.
One thing in my opinion Israeli must do. Bring in the death penalty for acts of terrorism that kill Israelis.
“If not for the war, the Haredi communities would have grown to be the largest single block in the society, while contributing almost nothing to it economically.”
How has the war stopped the above described situation?
Fastest growing demographic (lotsa babies/family), receive a government stipend and free healthcare but NOT be willing to do more than pray for Israel—not willing to serve in the IDF
I was outraged by them before 10/7 — no Israeli baby is more valuable than another. They are a wholly subsidized, fastest-growing segment of Israeli population, and protected class that takes from everyone but gives nothing back.
If I were a hostile nation, I would have just sat back and waited until the Haredi were numerous enough that Israel could only offer prayers to protect itself because The Haredi cannot work the weapons, and won’t fight to protect it militarily.
What is not clear from the article is what the war has done to change the problems with the Haredi community which you refer to. Has the war pushed the Haredi to serve (in non-combat roles, say) in the IDF?
A few thousand Haredi have enlisted in the IDF after 10/7 or showed up when drafted. Yes, they are put into "support" roles that they can do immediately--even distribute the mail.
When the Israeli version of the Supreme Court said drafting the Haredi was legal, the IDF initially estimated it would need 3 years to be able to accommodate the "usual number of draftees annually" who are Haredi, but that was before 10/7.
It's estimated there are at least 65,000 Haredi men of draftable age (have read estimates up to 100,000). The rabbis of the largest yeshivas in their communities have ordered the Haredi men who receive draft notices to ignore them. Which they are doing--even burning them as draft cards were burned in the US during the Vietnam War. They have also protested against being drafted in the streets -- which is not helping their cause one bit. Doing so only emphasizes the Haredi have the time and are home to protest--instead of putting their lives on the line for Israel in Gaza or Lebanon.
The far right members of Netanyahu's Knesset coalition--who represent the Haredi communities--have threatened to quit and bring down his government if the draft notices are enforced. Netanyahu even gave the Haredi an increase in their daily stipend to keep his coalition intact.
For me, I object because all Israeli babies are of equal value; those who study Torah are not--as the Haredi claim--more valuable. And it's a numbers issue. Ben Gurion gave dispensation for 400 Haredi to be exempt from the universal draft to only study Torah and pray for the Jews--less than 1% of population of Israel at that time. The Haredi are now 13% of the Israeli population, and are its fastest growing segment. The solution, to my simple brain, to let 400 Haredi men be exempt from the draft as Ben Gurion stipulated; or the same % of the total population of Israel as when Ben Gurion gave the initial dispensation. If such a small number of Haredi studying Torah and praying for the new state was sufficient to keep it safe then, that same number of Haredi should surely be sufficient now.
The rabbis and Haredi seem to honestly believe that studying Torah and prayers to G_d to protect Israel will be sufficient to keep its enemies at bay. If that is true, and they claim to have those who pray 24/7/265 to keep Israel safe, how do they explain 10/7? Their answer--not a popular one--is that Israel is too secular; the residents of Israel do not study Torah and pray enough.
Thank you for that thorough and helpful answer.
Pretty sure that last sentence is missing the word “only” as in “not only been beneficial but”.
That sentence was grating on me as well.
I agree 100% that Israel should be independent of US weapons manufacturing but expect pushback because it is so lucrative for US weapons manufacturers. Hopefully Israel now sees the danger to their national security should democrats once again gain control.
It makes perfect sense! (and btw I appreciate how your columns are always short, to the point, not repetitious and super clear).
Finally! We talked about not relying on the USA in thev1970s. Thank God the stupidity of the Lefties has finally been too big to ignore. Am Israel Chai
Although these remarks about not depending on US weapons and ammunition are theoretical and fitting, we should also remember how much the USA has helped us to fight in these various neighboring countries that are warring with us. We should show some degree of gratitude and thanks and not be too quick to offend the help received from that showing of most recent of presidential powers. In particular without the depth penetration bombs applied against the buried Iranian nuclear weapons-grade uranium production sites, using US bombers and their particular payloads, we would have had to use ground-forces to achieve the same result, and this may yet be the subsequent situation.
I don’t get it. How are the Haredi going to serve in the IDF? They refuse to do that, so will the government put them in prison? Right now Netanyahu‘s government depends on two Haredi-based parties to remain in power. Moving against the Haredi would cost Netanyahu his political power. The majority of Israelis may want to see the Haredi serve in the IDF, but there’s a big step between that desire and actually getting them to serve. Do you really think that Netanyahu will go down that path?
While I agree mostly, I disagree with you that Israel is an affluent nation. It has a relatively small number who have extremely high income and the rest of the people live with low earnings and significant stringencies. So the average income is deceptive.
I am curious why you express confidence that the Haredi issue is going to be resolved for the better. Have you not read that the government has allocated $2.7 million to subsidize draft dodgers to travel to Uman? How many of the 53,000+ draft dodgers been arrested? I just don't get the basis for optimism.
There is another issue that unites most of Israeli society: ending the war. You are right that Israel will never let a terrorist organization amass such a large force on its border again. So, therefore we can both agree there is no need to continue this senseless war. And 67% of Israeli society agrees with us, including the majority of supporters of all parties save Religious Zionism.
That's yet another issue where the government ignores the will of the vast majority. Which brings me back to wondering the basis for your optimism about the Haredi draft.
Thank you Michael. Thoroughly enjoy your insightful posts. As a Armenian Christian, I immediately think of the predicament the returning Israelis found themselves in during the time of Nehemiah. The scriptures say that Nehemiah exhorted his people to fight for their families. So, each grabbed a shovel in one hand and a sword in the other. Everyone got involved. BTW, I made a resolution this Passover, "Next year in Jerusalem!" I can't wait and will begin planning very soon. May I be so bold to ask, any suggestions on how to do so for us?