Livni blasts draft exemptions for haredim
Politician says government decision to exempt 1,300 haredim from IDF service is 'slap in face' of soldiers' mothers
On the backdrop of the government's decision to exempt 1,300 haredim from IDF service, Tzipi Livni and Amir Peretz visited an encampment established in Tel Aviv on Monday by activists demanding a universal army draft.
The government voted on the new draft guidelines following the expiration of Tal Law. The amendment stands to be in effect until August of 2013. The regulations aim "To preserve trust vis-à-vis the ultra-Orthodox sector and prevent a shortage of National Service volunteers," the government said.
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Livni blasted the guidlines, branding them as "a slap in the face of every mother" whose son enlists with the IDF.
Livni and Peretz at protest tent (Photo: Dana Kopel)
"I don't belittle the complexity of the issue," she added. "I haven't come here to throw slogans around. Only when you fight for a principle you can find a solution."
She stated that she is against temporary solutions to the haredi recruitment issue.
Peretz, in turn, noted that "in 20-30 years we will face a situation in which it is very difficult to find soldiers."
Earlier Monday, Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid filed a petition against the decision with the High Court of Justice.
He called the decision "A disgraceful attempt to ignore the public as well as the High Court's ruling and Yesh Atid will not stand for it."
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