JERUSALEM (JTA) — Instead of expressing hatred, arguments over drafting haredi Orthodox men in the Israeli army should be expressed with brotherly love, Israel’s president and Sephardic chief rabbi said.
Shimon Peres and Shlomo Amar met Sunday morning at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem to discuss the coming legislation for universal military service.
“There is no room for fostering hatred,” Amar said, citing the fact that Jews are currently observing the Three Weeks, a mourning period between the fast of the 17th of Tammuz and the fast of the 9th of Av. Peres also called for the end of hatred and extremism, according to reports.
Amar said that the haredi yeshiva students believe they are giving their lives in defense of the Jewish state through their Torah study.
The rabbi also reportedly said that he believed more haredi youth will be willing to serve in the army over time.
