For years, Israel's religious Zionists have sought a greater role in the army. Now that they have it, many wish they didn't. Yossi Klein HaLevi has the story in the current TNR. Money quote:
The threat of massive conscientious objection on the right is the worst internal crisis the IDF has faced since the early years of the state.. The organized refusals could complicate the Gaza withdrawal... Worse, massive refusal would destroy the army's role as Israel's last unifying institution, perhaps provoking counter-refusals on the left to defend settlements. And, if thousands of religious soldiers do carry out their refusal pledge, the result will not only be catastrophic for the army, but for religious Zionism. The refusal issue is the cruelest dilemma the religious Zionist movement has ever faced, pitting the community's two main achievements of this generation--building settlements and assuming leadership roles in the army--against each other.Ah, the familiar specter of Jewish infighting. Have you see this movie before?
One leading opponent of withdrawal, former General Yaakov Amidror, wrote an op-ed in Maariv comparing refusers to the ancient Zealots who, during the Roman siege of Jerusalem, burned the granaries of rival factions in the starving city.Ashrecha yisroel, mee komocha... right?
