SHANI BOIANJIU

She was referring to the fact that there is a sociological split In Israeli society between the Haradi—the ultra-orthodox Jews, and the other Jews who range from orthodox to secular. As a trainer of the Israeli Defense Forces, she had run into problems where Haradi men cannot have any contact with a female (other than family) nor are they comfortable to be around a woman with a gun or other weapon. The Haradi were formerly exempt from military service but the Supreme Court had ruled that they must serve if all other citizens do. The Haradi (a minority of Jews in Israel) have beliefs and customs that that are not consonant with democracy and the values of the majority of Israelis especially when it comes to separation of church and state and relations with women. In many respects, the Haradi views are much closer to the fundamentalist Muslims than they are to a modern democratic society.

She was referring to the fact that there is a sociological split In Israeli society between the Haradi—the ultra-orthodox Jews, and the other Jews who range from orthodox to secular. As a trainer of the Israeli Defense Forces, she had run into problems where Haradi men cannot have any contact with a female (other than family) nor are they comfortable to be around a woman with a gun or other weapon. The Haradi were formerly exempt from military service but the Supreme Court had ruled that they must serve if all other citizens do. The Haradi (a minority of Jews in Israel) have beliefs and customs that that are not consonant with democracy and the values of the majority of Israelis especially when it comes to separation of church and state and relations with women. In many respects, the Haradi views are much closer to the fundamentalist Muslims than they are to a modern democratic society.