Q&A: Security Tax
Security Tax
Question
Hello Rabbi,
What do you think about collecting a security tax from everyone who does not serve in the IDF, and using it to fund expensive defense systems and hire a private army for defense missions?
Apparently such a tax would solve the problems the Haredim have with the “conscription decree,” because: (a) there is no danger here to spirituality / Haredi lifestyle; (b) this is not a punishment like the various sanctions, but only funding defense needs instead of actual service; (c) it could be imposed equally on everyone who does not enlist, so there would be no claim of deliberate discrimination against Haredim.
I assume you’ll argue that the wicked Haredim would dodge this too, etc., but suppose they agreed to such a solution—do you think it’s a good idea?
Answer
What is the difference between this and sanctions? As long as this is available for every citizen and not only for Haredim, there is no principled problem with it.
Discussion on Answer
To be honest, I’m pretty fed up with the baseless arguments and the lies spread by Haredim in these discussions. The sanctions are not imposed only on Haredim. Where did you see that? We’re talking about sanctions on anyone who does not enlist. There are sanctions on institutions that educate people not to enlist and help them evade service. Such institutions are found mainly among the Haredim.
Sanctions come as a punishment for refusing to enlist, and in the current situation the sanctions are for some reason imposed only on Haredim and not on everyone who does not serve, so in effect the State of Israel is declaring a struggle against the Haredi public. By contrast, if a tax is imposed to fund defense (on everyone who does not serve, and not only on Haredim), it does not come as a punishment but as a means of funding security needs, so there is no struggle here at all, only a demand to help finance things like the rest of the state’s needs.