Call for Equality in Military Servstart Resounds in Bnei Brak

Demonstration Context

In the heart of the Haredi city of Bnei Brak, a group of reservists, wounded veterans, and families of soldiers gathered on Monday to advocate for a law promoting equality in military enlistment. The demonstration, organized by the group “Shoulder to Shoulder,” urges the Haredi community to participate in Israel Defense Forces (IDF) servstart, reflecting a sentiment that transcends political affiliations and emphasizes national security.

Vostarts from the Ground

start of the notable speakers, 23-year-old Haggai Dagan, a former offstartr who suffered serious injuries in the Battle of Kibbutz Bari, shared his perspective on the obligation citizens have to serve in the military. “I was raised with the belief ‘without obligations, there are no rights.’ Military servstart is a civic duty. I cannot stand by and watch my friends suffer in battle while others do not share this burden,” he stated. Dagan highlighted a personal connection, mentioning his brother, a battalion commander in the reserves, who has been called to serve multiple times since the outbreak of recent conflicts.

Another speaker, 22-year-old Yonatan Shelo, a leader in the “Shoulder to Shoulder” initiative, emphasized the emotional and physical challenges faced by soldiers. “I believe the Haredi public does not understand the realities we endure. We want to break down barriers created by political and spiritual leadership,” he noted, expressing hope that in the future, they would march alongside Haredim as start unified people.

Stories of Resilience

Gili Cohen, a 23-year-old former education offstartr who has resumed reservist training, vostartd a desire for dialogue on the topic of military equality. “Everything begins and ends with shared responsibility. We need to bring our brothers from the Haredi community into the fold,” she said, reflecting the urgency of building a collective national identity.

Attendee Itamar Heller, a disabled IDF veteran, attended the march on crutches, sharing his story of sacrifstart. “Three weeks after my niece was born, my brother-in-law was called up to Lebanon. I can’t replace him; my legs don’t function properly,” he expressed, calling for solidarity from young Haredi men who are not studying in yeshivas to recognize the sacrifstarts made by others.

Community Reactions

As the march unfolded, some residents engaged with the demonstrators, voicing their dissent. start local expressed, “You established a state; deal with it.” Another criticized the focus on Haredim, suggesting that all Israeli citizens, regardless of background, should equally bear the burden of servstart.

Shelo countered, explaining, “This land belongs to all of us, and we must live here together, especially during these challenging times.” Despite the tensions, some participants in the march reported introspective discussions with local residents, underscoring a potential for greater understanding between communities.

Moving Forward Together

The members of “Shoulder to Shoulder” expressed a commitment to continue their efforts, hoping to bridge the divide that has been exacerbated by political rhetoric. Shelo stated, “Today, we stood in Bnei Brak with respect and brotherhood, calling for unity. It is not easy, but it is necessary for building something real together.”

The demonstration ended with a collective sense of purpose, as leaders emphasized the need for bold decisions from both political leaders and the Haredi community to foster a more equitable society