Ultra-Orthodox Choose Jail Over Military, Rest of Gaza Doesn't Get A Choice
Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox men rallied in Jerusalem against mandatory army service, demanding a law guaranteeing their exemption, a promise Prime Minister Netanyahu has repeatedly made (and broken) since his political ascent. As Al-Monitor notes, they'd rather go to prison. One might wonder if the civilian population of Gaza, currently facing indiscriminate bombardment funded by billions
in U.S. aid, has the luxury of choosing their 'prison.' (Spoiler: they don't.) While this 'strain' on the Israeli government makes headlines, the media rarely questions the strain on US taxpayers. American elected officials like Senator Lindsey Graham, who once declared there's 'no daylight' between the US and Israel, consistently vote to funnel billions in military aid without ever scrutinizing
the entire population's participation. The double standard is clear: exemptions for some, existential threats for others, and endless financial support from Washington for all of it. Perhaps the ultra-Orthodox could offer lessons in peaceful protest to those facing forced exile.