I am not quite sure where all this talk of possible civil war is coming from. I keep hearing on the radio and seeing in the news threats that if the government will try to draft the haredim by force or pass a far-reaching law that will have a serious impact on haredim learning in yeshiva, it could lead to civil war. It was discussed from the Knesset podium, by those threatening it as well as by those dismissing it, and it has been discussed in the media.
I don't get how the idea of civil war is even relevant as an option. I can see them saying "we won't be forced into the army, and will prefer to sit in jail - come arrest ten thousand of us." or something similar. But civil war?
Civil war? Where will the haredim get the rifles and anti-tank missiles to fight against the army n the other side? Civil disobedience is not civil war, getting guns and shooting at the Israeli army and police is civil war. but where will they get the weapons from?
And if the haredi community is about 10% or 15% of the public, and add to that a certain percentage of sympathizers, how do 15% of the people expect to fight successfully against 85% - and the 85% having a well-trained army and police force against citizens with no military training, with no, or just a small amount of, weapons?
It just makes no sense. Threatening and arguing about civil war is ridiculous. It won't come to that because it cannot come to that. Jail, yes. Civil disobedience, yes. Even minor levels of "terror", perhaps. Civil war - I just don't see it. And it just bothers me so much every time I hear it mentioned so flippantly on the radio or in the press.
Religion Magazine
