IDF chief: We must make draft dodgers 'blush with shame' - Haaretz

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		IDF Chief of Staff Ashkenazi (right), standing with PM Olmert and Defense Minister Barak, attending the National Security College graduation in Jerusalem on Tuesday. (AP)

Last update - 06:18 01/08/2007

IDF chief: We must make draft dodgers 'blush with shame'

By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi slammed Tuesday the rise in draft-dodging, and said people must make "shirkers blush with shame."

In comments made at an Army Radio award ceremony, Ashkenazi joined Defense Minister Ehud Barak's attack Monday of the phenomenon.

Barak said Israel must return to the days when draft dodgers were publicly scorned as carrying "the mark of Cain."

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The defense minister's remarks followed the Israel Defense Forces' release of data two weeks ago showing that a quarter of all draft-age men who are obligated to serve do not enlist.

Ashkenazi stated: "There was also draft-dodging in the past... What's new is that the draft dodgers have lost their shame. Our mission is to make these shirkers blush with shame, and return the pride to serving soldiers."

"Draft-dodging is the erosion of the army and society very essence," the chief of staff added.

IDF statistics show that 11 percent of all draft-age men are not enlisted for the reason that "the Torah is their vocation," meaning yeshiva studies, while four percent are not drafted due to criminal backgrounds. Many others receive medical and psychological exemptions from the draft

A number of key figures in the defense establishment have spoken publicly of late about the need to increase enlistment numbers. However, despite some specific recommendations made by Major General Elazar Stern, IDF Personnel Directorate head, there is at present no formulated policy to deal with the issue

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1.	barak should be the last one to talk	22:45	\|	joe	31/07/07

2.	No shame in rejecting being O`s pawn	23:04	\|	Yonason Herschlag	31/07/07

3.	I will not join an army that expels Jews.	23:08	\|	David Jacobs	31/07/07

4.	Let the Women fight her own Battle	23:16	\|	Reader	31/07/07

5.	blushing with shame ?	23:32	\|	laura	31/07/07

6.	#1 Joe	23:52	\|	Neal	31/07/07

7.	draft dodgers	23:52	\|	colin	31/07/07

8.	Next time, don`t kick other Jews out of their homes	00:05	\|	John	01/08/07

9.	Blush & Shame	00:17	\|	E.Hill	01/08/07

10.	Olmert sons should be top of the named and shamed list!	00:31	\|	Nannette	01/08/07

11.	blush with shame	00:32	\|	Shmuelshachor	01/08/07

12.	A new way of thinking is needed	00:56	\|	Sam	01/08/07

13.	ASK-A-NAZI,CONTRACTOR FOR HAMAS,YOU BLUSH WITH SHAME:DEPORT JEWS?	01:02	\|	VOICE of MOSHIACH)))	01/08/07

14.	When our leaders learn to blush with shame	01:03	\|	sh	01/08/07

15.	$10,000 FINE FOR EMPLOYERS	01:09	\|	NEIL GOLAN	01/08/07

16.	#3 DAVID JACOBS	01:16	\|	NEIL GOLAN	01/08/07

17.	WHO PROTECTS YOU?	01:19	\|	NACHUM	01/08/07

18.	IDF cannot control all of society`s thinking	01:21	\|	Mark	01/08/07

19.	Kadema Govt made draft dodgers	01:28	\|	sam	01/08/07

20.	For all of you Cry babies	01:34	\|	Daniel	01/08/07

21.	#20 - you are right and wrong	01:44	\|	John	01/08/07

22.	3rd rate army	01:47	\|	Ronn	01/08/07

23.	CLAIMING RELiGION	01:52	\|	TOBIA	01/08/07

24.	blush with sham	04:23	\|	DOV KORET	01/08/07

25.	To John and other whiners	04:26	\|	Big Al	01/08/07

26.	Government come and go!	04:44	\|	NEIL GOLAN	01/08/07

27.	GET ELECTED	04:52	\|	NEIL GOLAN	01/08/07

28.	BIG Al needs a reality check #2	08:28	\|	John	01/08/07

29.	Draft Dodgers	08:31	\|	Garry	01/08/07

30.	Conscription	09:52	\|	cyclops	01/08/07

31.	Answer to #29	10:13	\|	Cyclops	01/08/07

32.	Draft Dodgers	10:24	\|	JordanisPalestine	01/08/07

33.	draft dodgers	15:51	\|	Ya`acov Yannay	01/08/07

34.	economy over army	17:55	\|	jw	06/11/07

35.	29 - exactly my point	19:05	\|	jw	06/11/07

36.	real world	07:39	\|	michael Jones	08/11/07

37.	Ben Gurion decision	06:54	\|	Giora Nevo	16/09/08

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