A group of religious former Israel Defense Forces soldiers has drafted a petition demanding the army call them for reserve service.
The group, which consists of dozens of former combat troops who served with the strictly haredi Netzach Yehuda Battalion, claimed that the IDF refuses to call them. The few who were called were assigned to non-combat roles, despite their fighter training.
In their online petition, the young men said they have pleaded with the army several times on the issue, but to no avail.
“These are quality soldiers who want to continue contributing to the state even after completing their active duty,” said one ex-soldier who served on the Netzach Yehuda Battalion.
Over the past year, some 500 new troops enlisted with Netzah Yehuda, which is considered the IDF’s largest infantry battalion. Roughly 1,000 additional haredi troops have joined the ranks of other, non-combat units over the past year.
Two years ago, the IDF established the first haredi reserve unit, Netzach Yisrael, but it has turned out to be too small to incorporate all of the ultra-Orthodox ex-fighters.
The IDF said that the soldiers who have not been called in to serve on the reserve combat unit have been enrolled in a special manpower database, and are to be called upon as needed. — ynetnews.com