Many Israeli Christians, Arab Israelis and even some MK don't want to do their patriotic duty. Ever since its inception, men and women have grown a country and fought for it at the same time. Now some people want to stand back, reap the benefits and "let George do it."
A lawyer who represents soldiers from Nazareth serving in the Israeli Defense Forces has begun to receive death threats from residents of the heavily Christian city in northern Israel.
With growing debate over the initiative to draft Israeli Christians into the IDF, Nazareth has seen a hotbed of local Arab anti-draft groups. Last April, a large rally against IDF enlistment was held there.
Many Israeli Christians - most of whom identify as Arab, but with an increasing number seeking to reconnect to their original Aramean roots - are departing from their community's traditional anti-Zionist stance and signing up for national service as Israel has rapidly emerged asthe only safe refuge for Christians in the Middle East.
But that movement has triggered a fierce backlash from both Muslim and Christian Arab extremists, including prominent community figures and even MKs from the extremist Joint List party.
Eyal Paltak, 49, told Channel Two that death threats against him had escalated in recent weeks. But most frightening was an image circulated Monday of Paltak in an army uniform with a big red X over his picture, and the words, "death to you soon."
Advocate for IDF Soldiers Receives Death Threats - Defense Security - News - Arutz Sheva
A lawyer who represents soldiers from Nazareth serving in the Israeli Defense Forces has begun to receive death threats from residents of the heavily Christian city in northern Israel.
With growing debate over the initiative to draft Israeli Christians into the IDF, Nazareth has seen a hotbed of local Arab anti-draft groups. Last April, a large rally against IDF enlistment was held there.
Many Israeli Christians - most of whom identify as Arab, but with an increasing number seeking to reconnect to their original Aramean roots - are departing from their community's traditional anti-Zionist stance and signing up for national service as Israel has rapidly emerged asthe only safe refuge for Christians in the Middle East.
But that movement has triggered a fierce backlash from both Muslim and Christian Arab extremists, including prominent community figures and even MKs from the extremist Joint List party.
Eyal Paltak, 49, told Channel Two that death threats against him had escalated in recent weeks. But most frightening was an image circulated Monday of Paltak in an army uniform with a big red X over his picture, and the words, "death to you soon."
Advocate for IDF Soldiers Receives Death Threats - Defense Security - News - Arutz Sheva