Is Independence Day, which this year is marked by "Women's Time," related to Defense Minister Bogy Ya'alon's response to the haredi MKs regarding the conditions for yeshiva graduates to report to the draft boards?
• These are our red lines, the MKs told the Defense Minister - Political Column
As a reminder, this week Ya'alon met with MKs Ariel Atias, Meir Porush and Moshe Gafni - members of the Shaked Committee. At the end of the meeting, the minister promised them written answers, as is customary in the defense establishment. It turns out that the answer is being delayed due to a specific request they made: a demand that female soldiers not be present in the area where Haredi yeshiva boys come to report to the recruitment office. This is a demand from the Torah gurus, which is a condition for the boys to continue reporting, in order to prevent spiritual deterioration.
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According to the minister's legal advisors, this is a decision that involves complex legal issues, and therefore it was decided to postpone it until at least after Independence Day, due to the sensitivity of the matter, especially in light of the fact that this year, the Minister of Culture and Sports and Chairwoman of the Ministerial Committee for Symbols and Ceremonies, Minister Limor Livnat, decided to make the Independence Day ceremony "Women's Time - Achievements and Challenges." The bureau is also concerned about making a decision that excludes women - a proven recipe for attacks from women's organizations.
Will, at the end of the day, the Minister of Defense make a decision to comply with the rabbis' demands, despite the risk involved and 'deserving' of attacks like those against transportation companies that separated men and women? - Time will tell.
The Office of the Minister of Defense toldHaredim10: ""At the moment there is nothing new since the meeting.".
