In the petition to the Supreme Court they explain that they do not see themselves as part of the State - not just in the form of not recognizing it but actively opposing it and believing the existence of the State is causing the delay in the coming of Mashiach. To that end the Satmar community isolates itself in every way possible from the State and its symbols and institutions.
Additionally, Satmar is opposed to any and all army service, as any war declared by any body other than the Sanhedrin is not valid and is simply murder.
They want to be exempted not just from service, but also from any paperwork and medical exams related to the service. They don't want to even have to go file for an exemption, as that would be recognizing the validity of the State.
The Supreme Court has ordered the State to write a response to the petition made by Satmar.
While essentially I can accept such an arrangement, similarly to the way the State automatically exempts most Arabs, for example, I do not know how it can be employed. How does the State determine who is Satmar and who is not? How does the State know to exempt one person and not the other? Will Satmar submit lists? Will anyone else not wanting to serve be able to find a way to be considered Satmar?
Ironically, Satmar petitioning the Supreme Court seems to be some sort of recognition of the State that they say they don't recognize and isolate themselves from its institutions.
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Do they get any benefit from the state ? Such as healthcare, use of public roads, police protection, child benefits, social security ?
ReplyDeleteThey may claim not to in some circumstances, but really don't. And in general they can't avoid it.
DeleteThey obviously get the benefits that aren't targeted at specific people, such as roads and protection (including from the IDF they don't want to be a part of). I don't know about the others.
ReplyDeleteThere's no formal exemption for Arabs. Under the law, they are obligated to serve, as indeed is every single Israeli citizen, male and female. The IDF just decides what's worth the effort.
ReplyDeleteof course there is. by a directive of the defense minister, arabs are not summoned to the lishkat hagiyus.
Deleteit used to be that the deferments provided full time yeshiva students where also by directive of the MOD, until the BAGATS legislated that that was no longer legal.
why is it still legal for the MOD to direct a general ptur for all arabs, but not legal to defer yeshiva students? the BAGATS can't allow itself to be troubled by such inconsistencies.
So you think that charedim and Arabs are in the same category? Good to know.
Deletemaybe the could be listed as their own religion ...
ReplyDelete