– It’s not because my blood is worth more. I serve my country with spiritual protection, says Yitzy Acherman (35) to news. The Jewish fundamentalists in Israel are growing in number and are challenging the country’s highest court by refusing military service. The father of seven calls it the right way. He is dressed in a white shirt and black trousers. Underneath, he has a prayer shawl with white cords dangling along the legs of his trousers. On the head a kippa. – The words of the Bible Now he sits at the end of a table that has been set for Shabbat and taps his index finger on the Bible in front of him. Like other ultra-Orthodox, he believes that understanding and living by the Torah and its interpretations is as important to Israel’s existence as protecting the country with weapons. – Those are the words of the Bible. If you don’t, I’ll kick you out. Whether it is by sending Hamas or in another way, says Acherman to news. – So you see the Hamas attack as revenge from God for Israel not living according to the Bible? – Revenge is a strong word. God does not take revenge. He shows us the way in the same way as when I take my child’s hand away if she reaches for a hot hob, says the 35-year-old. The thermometer shows over 30 degrees, and the air conditioning system is working. It can only be used during the Sabbath if it is turned on before the weekly holiday begins. It is one of the strict rules that Haredi Jews live by. Nor can they drive a car or cook food during the Sabbath. PRAYER: Yitzy Acherman believes he is part of Israel’s defense by praying to God. Photo: Ksenia Novikova / news Acherman says he does everything to protect the children from outside influences. – We live in a closed bubble. They are only allowed to listen to two radio stations, both of which play religious music, and we block the internet and TV. We have seen how it goes when they look out a little. Then they disappear, he says. But now the court is demanding that the ultra-Orthodox send their sons to the army, and this has caused an uproar. – We fear losing our religious identity. These young men are not mature enough to stand up to the influence of the secular army, Acherman fears. Major protests Ever since Israel was founded 76 years ago, the deeply religious Haredi Jews have avoided military service in order to study holy scriptures full-time. But in June the Supreme Court annulled the exemption provision. The first 900 were called up already in July, and the army is currently sending out 3,000 more summonses. It has led to a bitter dispute that threatens to topple the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Ultra-Orthodox men have repeatedly taken to the streets at the urging of their own rabbis and the religious Shas party, which is part of Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition. The party threatens to break away from the government in protest against the decision. – None of us will become part of the Israeli army. We’d rather go to jail, one of the protesters told the AP news agency this week. So far, only about 70 have turned up to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), according to the army. Ultra-Orthodox Jews protest that they too must join the Israeli army. Photo: RONEN ZVULUN / Reuters But they have both the law and popular opinion against them. Other Israelis have long resented bearing the burden for a growing group of ultra-Orthodox, who now make up more than 13 percent of the population. And the anger over the special treatment has grown during the war. news meets Shira Bernhaker on the streets of Jerusalem as she drives her 19-year-old son back to the military camp. She says that both his brother and his father are in and out of Gaza. The sister’s sons, on the other hand, are not sent into the war because they are ultra-orthodox. – It is heavy. If you live here, you have a responsibility, but at the same time it is difficult to say something to someone who lives such a different life, she believes. But Yitzy Acherman believes the army looks down on religion and is especially dangerous for religious men. – It is not something you can change with any new rules, he says, and refers to the army’s promises to create separate units for Haredi Jews. He himself has a 14-year-old son who will be called up for military service in a few years. – Then I hope he does as I do. And refuses, he says. MILITARY REFUSAL: Acherman hopes his son will follow his advice to refuse military service in 4 years. Photo: Ksenia Novikova / news Published 24.08.2024, at 10.32 Updated 24.08.2024, at 12.26
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Large protests against ultra-Orthodox having to join the Israeli army – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
