Kimball Shinkoskey

Woods Cross

History provides any country with a better perspective on its own policies, if only public policy folks read history books.

Both Israel and the United States could use some context regarding the newly authorized draft of the ultra-Orthodox in Israel, who previously were draft exempt.

The Hebrew Bible reveals in the Book of Deuteronomy ancient Israel’s conscription policy during the nation’s democratic phase before it turned to monarchy. Democracy does not impose mandatory universal conscription, because it is committed to allowing a degree of choice as to the justness of the war involved, especially if it is not a defensive war.

The U.S.’s mandatory universal draft of young men into the Vietnam War was overturned after the war largely because Vietnam had not been a defensive war. College students across the country protested so loudly that the nation was forced to once again recognize the righteousness of both a voluntary military and the necessity of liberal exemptions should the draft ever return.

Proof that Israel is no longer a democracy is seen in the fact Israel is run by a far-right dictator who is not only prolonging the Gaza war but preparing to expand it into Lebanon, all in order to keep himself in power.

Democracy is devoted to peacekeeping, which the Netanyahu government is not. Israel’s manic destruction of Gaza is not a defensive war. It is a lopsided, hate-filled crusade to destroy religious freedom in the Holy Land masquerading as a defensive war.