The Cabinet has created a system allowing Arabs to be paid for national service while Education Minister Yuli Tamir (Labor) has limited the ability of religious girls to serve the country. She ordered budget cuts affecting the Sherut Leumi (National Service) program for religious girls and also ruled that they cannot work as back-up teachers because they do not have a teaching degree.
The Association of Centers for the Promotion of Jewish Education charged that her decision was political, one of several that have favored Arab and secular sectors at the expense of the religious community. Kadima Housing Minster Zev Boim stated that she "cannot get past her political inclinations" and that she should not be allowed to deal with Zionist issues. Several weeks ago, Minister Tamir ordered that third-grade Arabs begin learning the meaning of Nakba, the Arab word for "disaster" and referring to the declaration of the Jewish state by the United Nations.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Sunday approved a new scheme that allows anyone not fit for army duty, including Arabs, to work at least one year in national Service.