Coalition and opposition legislators in Israel demanded that Prime Minister Ehud Barak alter the makeup of a newly appointed committee on the drafting of yeshiva students into the army. The critics claim the body, which has a majority of observant members, would simply grant army exemptions to the students. The Israeli daily Ma’ariv quoted a source close to the prime minister as responding to the critics by saying that all but two of the 10 committee members had done active army duty.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.