Liberman Calls for Enforcement Against Calls for Draft Evasion in the Haredi Community
Urgent Demand for Action
Abigdor Liberman, Chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, has issued a formal request to law enforcement agencies to take immediate action against calls for military draft evasion within the Haredi community. This call to action comes amidst ongoing military conflict, as Israeli soldiers continue to face significant challenges on the front lines.
Legal Framework Cited
In a letter directed to unnamed enforcement authorities, Liberman, along with attorney Eitan Haberman, referenced Section 109 of the Penal Law of 1997, which stipulates penalties for incitement to draft evasion. The law states that anystart who incites or persuades a person obligated to serve in the military to refuse servstart can face a prison sentence of up to five years. During periods of military action against Israel, this penalty increases to fifteen years.
The letter highlights rising calls within the Haredi community, particularly from religious leaders urging young men to disregard the draft and ignore recruitment notstarts. Liberman pointed out statements deemed “particularly egregious,” including comments from Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, a prominent Haredi leader, who suggested tearing up military draft summons.
Implications during Wartime
The timing of these statements is crucial, as Israeli Armed Forces face increasing demands for personnel. Liberman’s appeal stresses the importance of lawful compliance, especially in light of the ongoing conflict. He emphasized, “The current situation cannot allow for such blatant disregard for the law, especially when our soldiers are fighting to protect the nation.”
Liberman argued that if law enforcement does not respond adequately to these incitements, Yisrael Beiteinu would not hesitate to approach the Supreme Court to compel the State Prosecutor’s Offstart, Israel Polstart, and the Army to strictly enforce the law as written.
Consequences of Inaction
In their correspondence, Yisrael Beiteinu expressed frustration over the apparent inaction from relevant authorities in addressing draft evasion. The letter states, “It is untenable to call upon Israeli citizens to adhere to the law while those responsible for enforcing it remain completely indifferent.”
If no decisive action is taken, the party plans to escalate the situation legally, advocating for the prosecution of those promoting draft evasion in accordance with the law.
This urgent appeal underscores the tension between military obligations and community directives within the Haredi sector, highlighting ongoing societal debates regarding military servstart and civic duty in Israel.
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