The number of non-religious youth who dodge the draft now account for 40 percent of those who do not serve in the armed forces, Meretz Knesset Member Ran Cohen said this week. Israel media generally concentrated on the deferments for religious students who learn Torah and are deferred from the draft. The issue was brought to the public by IDF Manpower officer Elazar Shtern, but the media generally ignored the growing phenomena in the secular community.
One web site forum discussion includes advice for those wishing to dodge the draft. "I really, really don’t want to enlist and would be happy for any help you could give me," wrote one young man. "How do I get an appointment with a mental health officer?"