In first response to court ruling against Tal Law, army chief says IDF capable of providing ´comfortable environment´ for haredim

"Mandatory enlistment is very important. In our geo-political reality, everyone can and should serve, and I hope we´ll find a way to get it done," IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz said Wednesday in his first response to the High Court´s ruling essentially annulling the Tal Law, which regulates yeshiva students´ exemption from IDF service.

Speaking at a leadership conference at Tel-Hai College, Gantz said the army is capable of providing the ultra-Orthodox with a comfortable environment. "Army service is not a possible alternative; it is something that is necessary for the State of Israel. Not all those who can enlist in the army," he said.

"In the army we are able to live alongside one another, not against each other –this is true for women as well – there is nothing they can´t do on the operational front."

Addressing the Iranian threat, Gantz said there was a "crack" in the Tehran-Damascus-Beirut axis. "Lebanon is growing stronger, and Hezbollah is fives times stronger. Iran´s nuclear program poses a potential existential threat on regional stability and Israel´s existence," he said.

"We have the ability to defend ourselves; we have the necessary personnel to act."

Outgoing Supreme Court President Dorit Beinish was among those who supported the ruling, while incoming president Asher Grunis was among those who opposed it.

Beinish ruled that the law was unconstitutional and should therefore be rescinded. "The law, which has already been found in violation of the right to equality as part of the right to dignity, does not meet the proportionality standard and is therefore unconstitutional," she wrote. (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 02/22/12)