Yeted Ne'eman newspaper blasts 'Suckers' Tent'

Yeted Ne'eman editorial says activists urging universal military service endangering the Jewish people

Doing more harm than good? "Yeted Ne'eman," a haredi daily affiliated with United Torah Judaism, published an editorial Monday saying that "Suckers' Tent" protesters harming Israel by "dodging" their obligations to support Jewish people's spiritual struggle.

The "Suckers' Tent" protest campaign is promoting mandatory military service for all sectors of Israeli society.

The editorial declares that, "It must be firmly stated – the true 'draft dodgers' are the ones in the tent," adding that the activists are "endangering the Jewish people's existence" by "razing the ground on which we stand."

The paper agrees that in light of the great dangers facing the Jewish people, there is a need for "universal conscription – without draft dodgers," but notes that in addition to the clear and present dangers facing Israel, the biggest threat to the Jewish people is spiritual – the destruction of communities worldwide through mixed marriages and the disintegration of Jewish Israeli society.

"The only thing that can save the Jewish people is a return to our roots, strengthening belief, increased Torah study and religious observance, and uncompromising adherence to eternal values," the editorial states.

"The world of the Torah, its students and servants, who (as the Passover vacation ends) are returning to the study halls, is the vanguard in (our) war of survival and what guarantees the Jews' existence."

"Anyone who sits out and does not do at least partial service in Torah study, in keeping the commandments, in preserving the values of Judaism... is drilling a hole in the hull of the Jewish ship.

"This 'draft dodging' presents a real danger to keeping the Jewish nation unified and intact," the paper argued.