Dei'ah veDibur - Information & Insight
  

A Window into the Chareidi World

23 Kislev 5761 - December 20, 2000 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
NEWS

OPINION
& COMMENT

HOME
& FAMILY

IN-DEPTH
FEATURES

VAAD HORABBONIM HAOLAMI LEINYONEI GIYUR

TOPICS IN THE NEWS

HOMEPAGE

 

Produced and housed by
Shema Yisrael Torah Network
Shema Yisrael Torah Network

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEWS
Manof Demands Accurate Reporting of Draft Statistics
by B. Kahn

In light of headlines and recent reports on the issue of the draft of yeshiva students, Manof -- the Jewish Information Center -- has demanded that news editors and reporters employ precise terms when describing news related to this issue.

In an open letter to the media, Manof says: "The term `30,000 draft deferred yeshiva students' thrown about by the media is inaccurate and false. According to official statistics issued last year only 14,000 yeshiva students meet the requirements for deferral from regular military service under the category of `Torosom umanusom.'"

Manof adds: "In accordance with the principle of `fidelity to truth' which is an integral part of the journalistic code of ethics, media must be accurate in its use of figures and should not use the word, `exemption,' in place of `deferral.' In light of the 5746 -- 1986 Law of Security Service, one must distinguish between `exemption' and `deferral.'

"Yeshiva students of draft age receive deferrals, not exemptions, despite the fact that in Jewish tradition one who studies Torah on a full time basis has complete exemption [from army service], as is also customary in other countries."

Further on, the letter states: "Usage of the sweeping term `exemption' to describe a draft deferral procedure -- a procedure that must be repeated every single year -- is not only erroneous, but also causes damage and incitement against the chareidi sector at large.

"In light of the significant role played by the media in Israeli society, it is important to ask newspaper editors once again to pay attention to the proper balance between `making headlines' and the principle of loyalty to the truth, honesty and decency."

Manof's demand is meant for the general media, which distorts facts and figures in order to terrorize the Israeli public.

Yeshiva students are not exempt from army service. Up until now their army service has been postponed as long as they learn fill time. They must (and do) serve whenever they stop studying.

 

All material on this site is copyrighted and its use is restricted.
Click here for conditions of use.