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Last update - 22:13 22/11/2009
Israel seeks crackdown on women who fake religiosity to dodge IDF
By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Israel news 

The Ministerial Committee on Legislation on Sunday approved a bill aimed at curbing the growing number of secular girls evading service in the Israel Defense Forces by claiming to be religious.

The bill, which was proposed by the Defense Ministry, advises that the Israel Defense Forces keep close surveillance on every prospective recruit who cites religion as a reason not to complete service. This way, say minister, the IDF will have an easier time determining which claims are valid.
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If approved by the Knesset, the bill will create drastic changes in the IDF policy. Until recently the IDF's only recourse for enforcement was to take legal actions against women suspected of receiving a falsely based exemption, and then wait for a court decision.

The new bill would enable the IDF to enlist women found to have made false declarations without waiting for a court order.

The bill approved by the ministers comes on the heels of a private bill proposed by MKs Yisrael Hasson (Kadima) and Moshe Matalon (Yisrael Beiteinu), and will brought before the Knesset shortly.

The original proposal caused a near coalition crisis between the secular and religious parties.Three weeks ago, Shas ministers impeded a ministry discussion initiated by the Defense Ministry regarding the topic.

Shas Chairman Eli Yishai said on Sunday that his party would fight the bill, calling it underhanded opportunism by secular parties.

Hasson called his bill an opportunity intends to equalize the conditions under which women can receive exemptions, characterizing the ministers' proposal as one that would simply enable the establishment of a team of private detectives whose sole purpose would be to follow up on women already exempt from their military service
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  1.   End the slavery 20:36  |  Vince 22/11/09
  2.   No need to fake that you are a religious 21:12  |  Ivor Biggun 22/11/09
  3.   There are other areas for them to serve. Kitchen dutie! 21:13  |  Rankoo 22/11/09
  4.   why should the `secular` 21:44  |  samos 22/11/09
  5.   Professional army is the best solution... 21:45  |  had enough 22/11/09
  6.   Vince 1 23:32  |  Sabra 22/11/09
  7.   religiousity/fairy tales? 00:36  |  Danny Antidat 23/11/09
  8.   Suport de IDF 01:10  |  Pro Soldier 23/11/09
  9.   Treating the symptoms, not the disease 01:18  |  Mark Lincoln 23/11/09
  10.   I realize Israel is not that hard up RIGHT ??? 01:55  |  M. S. 23/11/09
  11.   1# I agree with you 100% but 01:58  |  Northern 23/11/09
  12.   to M. S. #4. Wrong. 03:18  |  Northern 23/11/09
  13.   3 months 07:03  |  Chuckles 23/11/09
  14.   easiest way to determine if the girls are telling the truth.... 07:33  |  ira 23/11/09
  15.   Only 15% of excused men actully study in a Yeshiva 08:22  |  Why crkdwn on women? 23/11/09
  16.   "Compelling" people to serve in the army-part 1 09:24  |  HH 23/11/09
  17.   Compelling" people to serve in the army-part 2 09:35  |  HH 23/11/09
  18.   Military Draft 11:40  |  Sajid Syed 23/11/09
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