Moving to Israel

Always a popular and often controversial subject among people born and raised in Israel, as well as immigrants who choose to move to Israel, is the issue of army service in Israel.

One of the most common arguments/discussions in this area focuses on the requirements of the religious resident vs. their secular neighbors. Another frequently discussed issue is the matter of women serving in the IDF.  Rebbetzin Yehudit Shilat of Takana, a forum which fights sexual harassment, tackles both of those issues in an interview with Arutz Sheva where she states her belief that no woman, religiously observant or not, should be required to enlist in the military.

Shilat responded to a proposed Knesset law that would make it more difficult for young women to escape IDF service by claiming to be religiously observant. She expressed support for the proposed measures to ensure that all women who choose not to serve due to “religious reasons” are actually religious, and are not merely using religion as an excuse to evade national service altogether.

Shilat also stresses that there are many ways in which women can contribute to Israel’s security without joining the military stating that “Security isn’t just about war and related matters, it’s also about social welfare, health, education – that’s also part of creating a secure society.”

Go check it out as the interview is a well done piece with an intelligent interviewee that will surely open you up to an interesting perspective of this long running issue.

Ari

I mentioned last week how people have begun thinking about moving to Israel not only in return for the rich spiritual existence it provides but for, recently, for the financial benefits as well. Here’s more to strengthen that argument as Arutz Sheva reports on a recent interview of Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer with Fox News where Fischer says that Israel remains relatively free from severe damage in the worldwide financial crisis and stands to be one of the world’s safest places for investors.

“I feel much, much better that if there’s any [future] crisis, we are in a very strong position, much stronger than a year ago, because of our currency purchases,” Fischer told Fox.

The interview is filled with more optimistic statements about Israel’s financial situation and, while he was probably embellishing for the sake of the public at least a little, it’s clear that Israel has once again, with the help of G-d, shocked the world in remaining strong and vibrant through another world calamity - this time in the face of a world wide recession.

Ari

I wanted to point out a fantastic interview from the Jerusalem Post with newly appointed Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Ya’alon. The sit down was done by veteran writer Yaakov Katz and is one of the finest pieces of journalism I’ve seen in some time.

Katz asks some very pointed questions and Ya’alon, former commander of the IDF who four years ago completed an illustrious 37-year military career, is extremely candid and forthcoming on some of the important security issues facing Israel and the world today.

This is highly recommended reading for everyone and you are all encouraged to pass this along to everyone you know. Enjoy.

 Ari