Controversial Israeli conscription law postponed one month
- Fan Xiaolin
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E-mail Xinhua, August 1, 2012
Controversial Israeli conscription law postponed one month
JERUSALEM, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday asked the army to present a draft by the end of August to replace the decade-old Tal Law that exempted Ultra- Orthodox from serving in the army.
On the eve of the Tal Law's expiration, the ministry announced that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will implement the 1986 Military Service Law until the army presents a draft proposal by the end of the month.
After that, the Knesset parliament will have to approve a new law that will settle the issue.
Israel's High Court on February decided to strike down the Tal Law and set Aug. 1 as the law's expiration date.
In the meantime, under the 1986 law, it will be the defense minister who will decide if the Ultra-Orthodox can be exempted or not.
Previous attempts from the government to replace the Tal Law have led for the Kadima to step out of the coalition due to differences with the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as to the recruitment age for the Ultra-Orthodox.
Speaking about the upcoming expiration of the Tal Law, set to be brought down on Wednesday, Barak said in a press release that it is of the "utmost importance that those who serve and bear the burden of our security are rewarded appropriately."
Barak has ordered the military to begin preparations to accommodate a greater number of religious recruits.
The army said plans are in the making to assign a portion of the new recruits to an infantry battalion whose soldiers strictly adhere to Jewish ritual laws. Others will assume technological vocations in the Air Force and Intelligence Corps. Enditem
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