Ministers Approve Yisrael Beiteinu's 'Service for All'

The Ministerial Committee on Legislation approved for its initial reading in the Knesset, the "Service for All" bill initiated by the Yisrael Beiteinu party. Member of Knesset David Rotem, who sponsored the measure, said,"I think it's a very importantlawbecause itrecognizes both theimportanceofmilitary serviceandthe importance ofTorah study.Every citizenof Israelhas to do military or nationalservice,andthe days whenall the weightis carriedon the shoulders ofa certainpopulationofpeoplemustbe a thing ofthe past."

Science Minister Daniel Hershkowitz, whose ministry oversees the Sherut Leumi national volunteer service, voted against the proposal. He explained that he was for equal distribution of the military burden and feels that is incumbent on anyone who can do it. At the same time, he said, "Volunteerism is an important value on which every society is based and the volunteer alternative must not become a requirement and cancel this value."