Plan Floated To Use Haredi as Police, Firefighters

By Haaretz May 17, 2012

The Finance Ministry is crafting a proposal to induct ultra-Orthodox men at age 20 into police and fire-fighting units. The plan aims to replace the Tal Law, following criticism by the High Court of Justice of inequality in the legislation, Haaretz has learned.

However, the government reportedly has no immediate plans for a compulsory draft of ultra-Orthodox men. They will continue to be exempt from military service if they study full-time in a yeshiva and do not work.

The High Court ruled in February that the Tal Law, which allows full-time yeshiva students to defer military service, is unconstitutional and may not be extended in its present form. The law went into effect 10 years ago and is due to expire in August.

But the treasury expects its plan will encourage more Haredi men to join the army or civilian national service programs, which will enable them to join the labor market.

For more, go to Haaretz.com

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