Enlistment figures for the Israel Defense Forces have not changed much in years, and the fact that nearly half the population does not enlist is not the responsibility of the would-be draftees, but rather of the state that neglects to draft them. Political trickery has enabled politicians from all parties throughout the state's existence to exempt the ultra-Orthodox completely, while submissively accepting their argument that the ultra-Orthodox have been tasked with the historic role of rehabilitating Judaism after the Holocaust, whether through intensive Torah studies or by producing children. The percentage of ultra-Orthodox in the population keeps growing, and explains the increase in the rate of those who do not enlist.
Therefore, chasing down artists who managed to get out of military service merely adds insult to injury. The IDF draft always has been selective. Now it finds it convenient to pass the blame on to those whom it rejected, instead of stating the plain truth: The army itself invented draft dodging.
You cannot turn the clock back to the innocent days when citizens had great faith in the government's good intentions, and their willingness to sacrifice their lives was commensurate with their degree of trust. In the twisted country that has evolved here after 40 years of occupation, the ideological refuseniks on the left are unwilling to defend settlements that even Israeli governments have already written off, and the refuseniks on the right do not want a part in destroying the settlements because they were brought up to believe in their importance. Both groups are just a handful, and their refusal to serve does not undermine the IDF's strength. More worrisome and extensive is the "gray" refusal to enlist by numerous young people who feel alienated from the state. These also refrain from voting in elections and participating in any other public activity. Their trust in the state cannot be restored through threats and sanctions, but only through moral, responsible government conduct.
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The IDF's failure in the Second Lebanon War did not stem from a shortage of combat personnel or a lack of motivation. It stemmed from military and political leadership failings. It is therefore strange to see the chief of staff and the defense minister, one year after the war, settling scores with the country's civilians, who were called to the flag and reported en mass, instead of with those who cynically and unprofessionally exploited the soldiers and their dedication. One only can deduce that the baseless public relations campaign against draft dodging is nothing more than an attempt to pass the buck from the leaders, on to the people.
If the IDF is indeed currently working on a plan to fight draft dodging, if someone actually thought of blocking citizens who did not join the IDF from getting a driver's license, or practicing medicine, or singing and playing at official state events, thereby curtailing their earnings - it attests to distressing foolishness among the defense top brass, which might even descend to the point of wrongful Knesset legislation. The state should invest its energy in drafting everyone who is suitable for military service, encouraging civilian service for anyone unsuited, and stop the fashionable and meaningless pursuit of draft dodgers.
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