Sticky Problem, Simple Solution

22 Iyyar 5779

Day 37 of the Omer

There is a threat of yet another round of elections ostensibly over the "chareidi draft agreement."  I don't really buy the story that this is the sole stumbling block, but there is a very simple solution to this very sticky problem, as others before me have pointed out. Just do away with the draft and have a professional army like all other "enlightened Western democracies."

EU nations continue to phase out military conscription

End of Conscription in the United States

During the 1968 presidential election, Richard Nixon campaigned on a promise to end the draft.  He had first become interested in the idea of an all-volunteer army during his time out of office, based upon a paper by Martin Anderson of Columbia University. ...There was opposition to the all-volunteer notion from both the Department of Defense and Congress, so Nixon took no immediate action towards ending the draft early in his presidency.

Instead, the Gates Commission was formed, headed by Thomas S. Gates, Jr., a former Secretary of Defense in the Eisenhower administration. Gates initially opposed the all-volunteer army idea, but changed his mind during the course of the 15-member commission's work. The Gates Commission issued its report in February 1970, describing how adequate military strength could be maintained without having conscription. 

...With the end of active U.S. ground participation in Vietnam, December 1972 saw the last men conscripted,....

However, there are two reasons I know of why that solution does not come under consideration:

1.  Military service has always been seen as the main assimilation tool in the secular culture arsenal.  How many "religious" soldiers come out of that system less religious or not religious at all?  How many young Jewish women were ruined?

2.  The Israeli Elite gain and maintain power through previous military service.  It is a very common launching pad for political careers, c"v.

Oh, and there is one other thing, I can think of.  It's one more "stick" in the hands of those who go in for one of Israel's most popular pastimes - "chareidi bashing!"

One thing is for sure, a day will certainly come when peace will reign throughout the entire world and there won't be any need for armies anywhere!!