Large 'Suckers Protest' Against Military Draft Exemptions for Orthodox Jews in Tel Aviv, Israel

Описание: Thousands of Israelis have flooded into downtown Tel Aviv to stage a protest demanding the government change military draft laws so that the burden of service falls equally on all citizens. Most Israelis are called-up for 2 to 3 years of military service at the age of 18 or 19. At present, there are roughly 50,000 Orthodox Jews studying in religious seminaries who are exempt.

At the demonstration marchers chanted "one people, one draft" whilst holding signs reading "equal service for all".

The movement to change draft laws has come to be known as the "suckers protest" and organizer Idan Miller, addressing the crowd of some 10,000 people, delivered a message to Israeli premier Benjmain Netanyahu saying, "It must be changed. Mr. Prime minister, get it into your head - we are done being suckers."

Netanyahu is facing a tough balancing act; His vice-prime minister Shaul Mofaz has said he will quit the government if equal military conscription is not implemented, but he must also accommodate the demands of ultra-Orthodox members of his coalition. The issue remains extremely contentious and neither side looks like it is ready to compromise.