Far-right minister: Nuking Gaza is an option, population should ‘go to Ireland or deserts’
Far-right minister: Nuking Gaza is an option, population should ‘go to Ireland or deserts’
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I absolutely loathe Otzma Yehudit. They are like MAGA, Vox, National Rally, and the rest of the far right religious assholes. While I understand why Israel separated religious courts and authority from the government (don't like how they did it though), they should have, at the very least, tied voting and government eligibility to national service. So much of the ultra orthodox functions like the extremist Mormon FLDS does in the US. A fucking stain on my people.
By and large Otzma Yehudit voters do serve in the army. You are confusing Religious Zionists (who do serve, and make up the bulk of the far-right and settlers in Israel) with the Ultra-Orthodox (who do not serve, and largely don't have views about the conflict and are more worried about social programs for their community who are by and large poor).
This minister in particular didn't serve because he was considered a suspected terrorist. Too far right for the IDF - almost impressive.
Oh damn. You're right. I'm a little more familiar with ben Gvir's history than the whole movement and conflated them. Looking into it, I have changed my stance. The military needs better separation of Torah and State. Also, ben Gvir and Otzma Yehudit are still just giant piles of shit.
I still have issues with much of the Haredi. Things like their iron grip on religious control in Israel, domestic abuse issues, cult like behavior, demanding special treatment, and feeding off of others to survive.
But yeah that isn't Otzma Yehudit. They're more of religious militants it seems. Certainly not helping the state of things. Doesn't help that the haredi groups and religious zionists easily form coalitions.
I'm of two minds about national service. On one hand, it seems like a powerful tool to build national unity. On the other hand, I see a lot of risk that people will be forced to serve in ways that offend their conscience.
My main reference point is the US during the Vietnam War. Lots of people were conscripted and sent to fight in a war they didn't believe in. Being a conscientious objector was a thing, but the criteria were very narrow, such that (for example) I would not have qualified even though I consider it an immoral war. The main way people got out of serving was though the exemption for people getting university degrees, but that of course is a very unfair system that only benefits people who are privileged enough to attend a university.
Mohammed Ali did time because of it, and was banned from boxing for a time.