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Last update - 13:44 24/02/2008 Lieberman: Arab leaders incite against national service By Haaretz Service Tags: Avigdor Lieberman  Yisrael Beiteinu MK Avigdor Lieberman on Sunday accused Israeli Arab leaders of rabidly inciting against Arabs undertaking national service. In response to the remarks, Balad MK Jamal Zahalka accused Lieberman of fascism and racism. The Knesset Education, Culture and Sports committee devoted Sunday's session to the issue of national service for Arab citizens, which has been extensively debated in the Israeli Arab community since the launch of the initiative last summer. Advertisement The government has been promoting national service as a civilian alternative to compulsory military service, from which Israeli Arabs are exempt, saying it will help young people both personally and socially. Many leaders of the minority group contend that granting legitimacy to such service will make Arab youths lose their sense of nationality. Zahalka told the committee that the purpose of national service is to cement the domination of the establishment on young Arabs and undermine their national identity. Despite the leaders' sweeping opposition, the number of Arab youths who volunteer for national service has been constantly rising, and stood at 600 in 2007. A study published recently by Haifa University showed that some 75 percent of Israeli Arabs are in favor of national service. Related articles: A question of loyalty for Arab youths Interior Minister: Israeli Arabs must perform national service Gov't approves establishment of national service administration Bookmark to del.icio.us   Holocaust row U.K. Tory chief draws fire for calling school visits to Auschwitz a gimmick. 5 Stops in Galilee Rock hares, peach orchards, a taste of the past, and walking the Jesus trail.

Today Online IDF braces for mass march on Gaza border Responses: 141 Gideon Levy: The Jerusalem issue is easy - half for Jews, half for Palestinians Responses: 43 For IDF brigade, 'Hebron is like Wild West and army is the law' Responses: 39 Study: Palestinian suicide bombers 'not mentally unstable' Responses: 76 Neo-Nazi turns Haredi after discovering his Jewish roots Responses: 42 Rosner's Domain Iran Could Have Enough Uranium for a Bomb by Year's End (WTR) Poll: Is it time for Israel to end the blockade in Gaza? What America wants from an operation in Gaza Guests: Jewish women don't want to be shut out U.S. victims of Palestinian terror await gov't stance on compensation More Headlines 14:46 PM: We absolutely won't fortify every building in Gaza area 16:52 Barak opposes PM bid to step up measures against infiltrators 17:07 Israel, Palestinians to start talks on civilian issues next week 14:23 IDF braces for mass rally against Israeli blockade on Gaza border 17:18 Olmert pulls for Beaufort, says 'it's time Israel wins an Oscar' 12:23 Israeli Americans vote Clinton, but Obama wins global primary 16:42 Or Akiva apartment building fire leaves six people hurt 17:22 U.K. paper prints photo of Anne Frank's childhood love interest 14:35 Jordan's King Abdullah races through South Africa on a Harley 13:48 Olmert heads to Japan with eye to boosting trade 13:59 IDF soldier accidentally shot by fellow soldier, suffers serious wounds Previous Editions Select Day 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb 13 feb 12 feb 11 feb 10 feb

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