Commentator: Economic Incentives, Not Arrests, Will Bring Haredim to Military
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Political commentator Amit Segal stated that arresting Haredi draft dodgers will not lead to their enlistment but will push them towards extremism. He argued that economic incentives, making it less profitable to evade service, are the only realistic way to increase Haredi military participation. This approach contrasts with the current strategy of forceful enforcement and arrests, which Segal believes is counterproductive.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Political commentator Amit Segal argues arrests will not bring Haredim to the army.
- Segal claims forceful measures push moderate Haredim towards extremism.
- He suggests economic incentives are the only realistic path to enlistment.
- Segal believes making evasion financially disadvantageous is key.
- His view contrasts with current enforcement and arrest strategies.
Political commentator Amit Segal argued that the current approach of arresting draft dodgers will not lead to the enlistment of Haredim (ultra-Orthodox Jews) into the military. Instead, he stated, such forceful measures push even moderate segments of the Haredi public towards extremism and strengthen the hand of radical factions like the Jerusalem Faction. Segal believes this path is short, leading to statements similar to those made by Rabbi Dov Lando, a leader of the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox community, who recently launched an unprecedented attack against Haredi conscription.
Segal proposed that the effective way to change the burden-sharing equation is through economic incentives. He suggested that making it financially disadvantageous to evade military service, rather than serving, would be more impactful than criminal enforcement. This approach, he contends, would be more successful than trying to force individuals who do not adhere to the military ethos into combat roles like the Golani Brigade.
His analysis aligns with a growing sentiment in the political establishment, which favors shifting from direct confrontation and high-profile arrests that benefit extremist fringes. The prevailing view is that altering economic incentives, such as canceling subsidies and benefits for draft dodgers, while simultaneously increasing recognition and rewards for career soldiers and reservists, is the only realistic path to achieving greater equality in military service.
