Avigdor Lieberman is right about Israeli Orthodox conscription – Washington Examiner

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won a clear mandate in April’s Israeli elections, but Avigdor Lieberman has a legitimate complaint in holding up Netanyahu’s Cabinet formation.

Lieberman’s point is simple: if the Israeli Defense Forces rely on conscription to protect all Israelis, then no able-bodied Israelis should be excused from conscription. But that’s exactly what will happen if Lieberman yields to Netanyahu and signs up to his Cabinet.

As my colleague Philip Klein explains, Lieberman is refusing to join Netanyahu’s new Cabinet unless Netanyahu agrees to force ultra-Orthodox Israelis to join the military. But other elements of Netanyahu’s looming Cabinet refuse to allow for such an arrangement. Thanks to their showing in the April elections, these parties also have a veto over Netanyahu’s government formation.

The standoff means that Israel is heading toward a new election if a Cabinet deal cannot be reached by midnight Wednesday.

I get why Netanyahu wants to cut a deal with both Lieberman and the ultra-Orthodox parties in order to get his government formed. But I also understand Lieberman’s frustration. Because it is obviously immoral that some Israelis are resting off the service of others. The threats that Israel faces from an array of actors — Hamas, Iran, ISIS, and otherwise — are clear. And it is not as if ultra-Orthodox Israelis would be ignored by these enemies in the event of war. Absent the Israeli Defense Forces, all Israelis would be targets for death were Iran and company to have their way.

Correspondingly, all Israelis should be expected to bear the burden of national defense. It’s that simple.

Of course, the ultra-Orthodox wings of Israeli society don’t see it that way. Whether national defense, civil society, or basic respect for their fellow citizens, the ultra-Orthodox parties show a continuing disregard for patriotic morality. They look out for themselves and only themselves. Recognizing as much, Lieberman’s frustration reflects a common theme of anger across Israeli secular society against the government’s tolerance for this double standard. And Lieberman is betting that new elections will allow his party to win more seats.

Whatever happens, anger over the ultra-Orthodox service issue will remain.