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.
