Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., November 14, 2007 Kislev 4, 5768 | | Israel Time: 19:07 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Print Edition Diplomacy Defense Arts & Leisure Real Estate Jewish World National Advertising Easy Start Magazine Business Opinion Rosner's Domain Anglo File Week's End Books

Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit. (Eli Tesma/BauBau) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 19:46 13/11/2007 Interior Minister: Israeli Arabs must perform national service By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent tags: National Service  Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit called on the Israeli Arab sector Tuesday evening to join the National Service and army service. At a conference at the Dan Acadia Hotel, Sheetrit said, "I believe that Ben Gurion made a mistake. He brought the Arabs into a ghetto, a shutdown, when he decided not to enlist them to the army." The minister made the comments at the annual conference of the Center for Jewish-Arab Economic Development. Advertisement "We all live in one country, we're all in the same boat. Israeli citizens need to be equal in every aspect, in their rights and their obligations," Sheetrit said. He maintained that he does not think national service should be called "civil service," because all the citizens of Israel live in a state whose nationality is Israeli. Sheetrit added that, "Our forefathers' days have ended. We are living in a modern state, in the 21st century." The issue of national service is widely debated within the Arab sector. Although statistics show a dramatic increase in Arab youth volunteering for national service, almost all Arab community leaders are greatly opposed. They believe that the volunteering can lead to Arab enlistment to the army, and will lose their sense of nationalism. Sheetrit slammed the fact that in many Arab communities kindergartens have sprung up established by the Islamic Movement. "This, for me, is unacceptable. The state does not need to support private kindergarten, but only public kindergartens operated by local authorities," said Sheetrit. He also called on Arab schools to incorporate teaching Hebrew from the first grade. Related articles: A question of loyalty for Arab youths Dramatic rise in number of Arab volunteers for national service Gov't approves establishment of national service administration Bookmark to del.icio.us Speaking for Israel U.S. Secretary Rice says Israelis are prepared to give up the West Bank for peace. Doable deal Solana says an Israeli-PA peace agreement can be achieved within 9 months.   1.   Ben-Gurion made another historic mistake 19:48  |  Yonatan 13/11/07   2.   Pragmatic youth vs. power-hungry elders 19:51  |  Yonatan 13/11/07   3.   "Sheetrit." A leader? Maybe....! 19:57  |  Stephen. 13/11/07   4.   Does he really mean it? 20:08  |  Bryan 13/11/07   5.   National Service 20:15  |  Garry 13/11/07   6.   National service of some form for all 20:30  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 13/11/07   7.   National Service 20:35  |  Mordechai 13/11/07   8.   start with economic equality 20:41  |  jw 13/11/07   9.   modern multiculturalism 20:45  |  PG 13/11/07   10.   A potential for a million fifth-columnists inside Israel 21:11  |  friend in deed 13/11/07   11.   israel will arm and train 21:32  |  matilda 13/11/07   12.   Arab Israelis 21:46  |  Jerusalem Jew 13/11/07   13.   Sheetrit open-minded ideas 22:15  |  Adolfo Talpalar 13/11/07   14.   Israeli Arabs to join IDF 22:35  |  Dabra 13/11/07   15.   As an Israeli-Arab I`m for national/Military service 22:46  |  Rami 13/11/07   16.   To # 7: Unlike settlers, Israeli-Arabs ar eloyal to Israel 22:48  |  Rami 13/11/07   17.   we dont need arabs in the army but make them contribute to societ 22:55  |  zionist forever 13/11/07   18.   #15 Rami - Nazareth 23:12  |  * BEN JABO 13/11/07   19.   Jews in Egypt were Exempt 23:19  |  EgyptJewRefugee 13/11/07   20.   #8 - "civil rights and privacy." - there will be much less ! 23:51  |  redmike 13/11/07   21.   It`s pretty sad if.... 00:15  |  R 14/11/07   22.   Jewish State VS. Democratic State 01:19  |  POP 14/11/07   23.   Ben-Gurion made another historic mistake 01:23  |  BOB KING THE ZIONIST 14/11/07   24.   Mordechai # 7 01:32  |  ChanahS 14/11/07   25.   Matilda and others re national service 01:38  |  ChanahS 14/11/07   26.   Good But Same for Heridim 02:00  |  MB 14/11/07   27.   # 18 BEN JABO...Israelis were also caught 02:13  |  Lynn 14/11/07   28.   Good idea but not yet 02:28  |  Danite 14/11/07   29.   to rami 15 02:45  |  dan 14/11/07   30.   Arabs and National Service- a damn bad idea. 05:41  |  EGW 14/11/07   31.   ONLY When Jews Perform National Service For GERMANY! 09:54  |  Proud Pal Defender 14/11/07   32.   #31 is a moron 14:59  |  anon 14/11/07   33.   Lynn - I know about that 16:54  |  * BEN JABO 14/11/07   34.   both correct. arab leaders correct they will loose control/power 18:15  |  ralph 14/11/07

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