Should Arab Israelis be required to do National Service?

by Step Up For Israel Posted 2012/06/18 15:39:17

Related Topics: Israel, Legislation, Muslim, Military, Tribe, Time, Welfare, The End, Expire, Opposition

175 votes
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	Yes	78 votes	45%
	No	33 votes	19%
	They should be encouraged with inducements but not required	23 votes	13%
	They should be required to do Army Service	14 votes	8%
	Undecided	27 votes	15%

Army service in Israel is compulsory for every citizen. However, the Defense Minister can choose at his discretion to grant exemption to individuals or classes of citizens. A long-standing policy has been to grant exemption to Israel's minorities and ultra-Orthodox sect.

Today approximately 20% of Israeli citizens are Arab. Some Arab communities, like the Druze communities, self-imposed mandatory army service out of loyalty to the country. Other communities, like the Bedouin tribes, are strongly encouraged to volunteer, and many do. Most Muslim Arabs however, do not volunteer for service and are currently not encouraged to.

However, the Tal Law, which effectively exempts Ulta-Orthodox from military service, will expire soon and it has caused many to re-evaluate exemptions in general. The country's unity government has stated that by the end of July they will pass legislation that will require national service for Arab citizens for the first time. This service can be completed within their own communities, and in fields like health, welfare, and education. Despite the recent growth in the number of Arab's volunteering for national service, there is still much opposition to legislation that would require it.

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Cat 2012/08/06 07:41:37

Yes

Of course. Serve your beleaguered country or leave it forever.

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SICARIO 2012/08/03 21:15:58

No

So that they can oppress their relatives..Wouldn't that be like forcing Jews in 1940 Germany to join the SS and arrest other Jews..

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marty 2012/07/06 14:06:20

They should be required to do Army Service

Oh, I see...I thought National Service and Army service were the same in this case....Anyway: if all Israelis are required, certain groups shouldn't be exempt. Of course, if they can't physically join or have a mental condition (religion and culture don't count), then they don't have to.

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ileana.a.stan 2012/07/03 06:44:00

Yes

They are Israeli citizens.

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Greenbay 2012/06/26 19:40:39

Yes

Thier citizens

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P. Sturm 2012/06/26 00:13:19

Undecided

If they receive equal benefits and protection from society they should.

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NEIL KLEIN 2012/06/25 22:11:12

Undecided

USUALLY ON;Y THE DRUZE & SOME OF THE BEDOINS CAN BE TRUSTED!!! IT'S INSANE TO TRAIN & ARM THE 5TH COLUMN FROM WITHIN!!!!

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Gchartier 2012/06/25 01:12:24

No

I think that they should be free to choose to serve or not. Being in the army is not as easy as it may seems, it affects every area of one's life.

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Bud Smith to Gchartier 2012/06/25 14:09:05

You live in your own world. In the real world you have a duty and a responsibility to the nation you call home. If you do not like that get out! I do not intend to be drafted to protect people who refuse to do their duty. In the military they use the firing squad to solve those problems. What do you do for example when you find yourself in a foxhole with a coward. There is no place for them!

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Prophet 2012/06/21 14:27:09

Yes

But not the army. Or in politics.

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RevBH 2012/06/21 06:05:01

No

Who needs to stand up for Israel? Lots of other countries send them tons of money so that can they continue their racist regime.

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FPSRules 2012/06/21 01:20:39

Undecided

If they are adherents to Islam, absolutely should not be allowed near the Israeli armed forces. But for any other services required under Israeli law, by all means.

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shaltov72 2012/06/20 06:27:13

Undecided

+1
Do not know the real criteria but I feel as though each you should serve and should be the
same way in the USA.

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Al B Thayer 2012/06/20 03:14:16

No

No

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Angel* 2012/06/20 00:35:48

Undecided

When it comes to the serving of country I believe it should be up to ones own belief. In time of war when one may have to kill someone else, this is as big as any decision a person can make. I know the words of Jesus " give to Cesar what is of Cesar and to God what is of God" is ment that we must follow the our Human Law as we follow the Laws of God, but sometimes they fight each other. So I can't make my view any ones elses.

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Gchartier to Angel* 2012/06/25 01:18:07

+3
I totally agree with you.

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Edward 2012/06/20 00:28:11

No

I think keeping out Arabs from military is a smart move. Why train the enemy in military combat techniques when likely they are going to turn on you.

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Nameless 2012/06/20 00:14:04 (edited)

They should be required to do Army Service

+1
They are Israelis. If they are conscientious objectors, then Israel has areas of service which are not combat where they can serve - just like non-Arab Israelis. They serve as elected officials in the Knesset and should be required to serve via National Service OR Military service, as well. Jewish, Christian, Muslim, or anything else should serve.
Oh, and screw the Ultra Orthodox who are currently exempt. Seriously! I am Jewish and they are an embarrassment. They create a lot of the problems that result in conflict and then don't want to serve. Feh!

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Andrew 2012/06/19 23:34:23

Undecided

Undecided vote, it should be up to them.

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revbh 2012/06/19 23:20:28

No

Did the Nazis draft the Jews, Poles, Gypsies, Catholics, or any of the other supposedly "inferior" peoples they tried to exterminate? And now the Israelis want to draft Arabs? REALLY?

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Bud Smith to revbh 2012/06/25 14:02:52

You quote the Nazi rules as something by which others should be compared. Was a lesson not learned, even if some failed to learn. Get out of your play pen, this is the big leagues.

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revbh to Bud Smith 2012/06/26 01:07:41 (edited)

Your grammar is very good, but your punctuation needs work.

Keep trying!

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Boo 2012/06/19 20:09:53

Yes

+2
"This service can be completed within their own communities, and in fields like health, welfare, and education." They should be glad to perform such service in what ever country they live!

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Kitsune Touhou 2012/06/19 18:33:24

Undecided

+1
I think everyone should should be treated equally :/ they're still a citizen, right?

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RevBH to Kitsune... 2012/06/21 06:02:30

Do you know the whole sordid story here? Years ago, the Israelis occupied the Palestinians' land, out the Palestinians into concentration camps. The Israelis still occupy the Palestinians' land. Sound like citizenship to you? Do you think that the American Indians should have joined to American Army to help exterminate the Indians? Should Hitler have drafted the Jews to help him exterminate them and all the other groups Hitler tried to wipe off the face of the earth? Please let me know. I'd really love to understand....

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Kitsune... to RevBH 2012/06/24 23:22:03

uhh... I don't remember posting this... I was SUPAH tired after staying up all night tryin' to get a friend to calm down... but I still think it's undecided after looking at the question better. ^-^

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RevBH to Kitsune... 2012/06/26 00:53:38

That's a very smart response......Look into it further, if you like, and then make up your mind.

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knybee to RevBH 2012/06/24 23:35:19

The "land" was given by God to the people of Israel. You can deny that but you can't deny the fact that the Jews were there well over two thousand years ago. The Indian example would then make your position hypocritical if you said that it doesn't matter. How could it matter in one case but not the other? And to use the word exterminate is ignorant and a lie. Are you blind and hard of hearing as to how the "accepting" muslims in their lands are treating Christians right now? The wringing of the hands and feigning of compassion lie is interesting seeing as the Arab world looks upon the Palestinians as the dregs among them. And with all of the land that the Arab nations have gathered unto themselves they quite clearly have decided that these are not worthy of any of their own lands. That is the greatest hypocrisy. Or what, if they care so much about the Palestinian plight why do they not offer any of their own lands as a state for them to exist? Oh, it's the principle. As the British say, what rot. It is because of selfishness, hatred, and envy that they themselves are driven to war. Which you may deny but God sees.

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Danielle 2012/06/19 18:09:33 (edited)

Undecided

I would take it on a case by case situation. One's ethnicity all by itself should not be a disqualifier for service, but the background on how they feel about Israel is the real issue...if they consider Israel the enemy then, that would be like letting your enemies know your military secrets by letting them be in your military...in the latter case, I would say a definite "NO." That's just practical, common sense for the safety of one's own country.

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Bud Smith to Danielle 2012/06/25 13:59:41

How do you think your idea is going to work? You mean I can live under my own law while the nation has another?

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A.Oscar 2012/06/19 17:53:27

Undecided

Do the same in the States; if the army needs some of them ok; even get a citizenship, than send to war.

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Bud Smith 2012/06/19 15:49:41

Yes

+1
The defense of a nation is the strongest, most important responsibility, and "DUTY" citizens have. They should be proud to do service for their country, unless they have a corrupt, untrustworthy, government that is in office with evil goals!

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carol d. 2012/06/19 14:30:23

Yes

please go back

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Kapu Wahini 2012/06/19 12:35:36

Undecided

+1
All citizens should be treated equally in my opinion

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knybee 2012/06/19 10:10:39

No

No, The reality is that the Arabs right now will not have complete loyalty to the state of Israel. That's a fact. To deny that is to endanger those who are loyal. It goes back to the old saying, "Who do you want in your foxhole with you?" It won't work.

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Bud Smith to knybee 2012/06/19 16:03:58

Some USMC, when the crap hit the fan, found their heart was weak and they could not do the assigned task. Those were often put out on point, or require to do out post guard duty at night. And some were given an accidental discharge, from someones rifle! In hard times their are hard ways! The job must get done!

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knybee to Bud Smith 2012/06/24 23:19:23

I believe that Gods way is the best way. I would rather have a few who truly believe than thousands who don't. Or looking at it personally, it works the same way when it comes to friendship.

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Bud Smith to knybee 2012/06/25 13:57:51

You can believe anything you choose, so long as you are free. But what has your belief have to so with the solution to the problem? When you allow conditions to be reduced to the survival level, only the strong physically and mentally who apply correct problem solving to survive will survive. Take a look at the law of the jungle.

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ColonialBoy 2012/06/19 08:23:54

Yes

Hell, if they look anything like the feamle soldier above, I'll join up!

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Arpegiando 2012/06/19 08:17:03 (edited)

No

As a Persian (yes my last name is Kadkhodaian) I know how my grandfather was forced into the Iranian military and how my father can't go to iran because he'll be required to join for 3 years too. I don't want that happening to him or me or any one no matter what race or religion. My mother also served in the US military for 13 years, and that was a choice to get to college. She saw herself as a completely different person then but shes still glad she did it. These are the beniffits of joining the military, but she decided to join herself for the benifits. Joining the military should be a completely self decided matter and I don't think the Arabs or anyone should be required to.

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