A three-day military-style march with stretchers, protesting draft
evasion mainly by the Haredi ultra-orthodox community, has reached its final leg.
Jerusalem, Israel. 20/01/2011. Originating from the Tel-Hashomer main IDF draft center
demonstrators marched over twenty kilometers per day for the past two days.
Organised by a coalition of over fifty political and social organisations
from the full spectrum of Israeli society, this diversified group protested against widespread draft evasion, especially by the ultra-orthodox Haredi community. Leading the march were handicapped veterans who sacrificed their well-being for the country. Stretchers were carried inline with one of the IDF's most important values - never leave a wounded man in the field.

This afternoon they symbolically assembled at the Mount Hertzel Military Cemetery and
marched to Kikar Paris Square, opposite the Prime Minister's residence in
Jerusalem where a rally was held attended by several hundreds of
demonstrators.

Speakers at the rally included Shachar Botzer, Asistant Head of the Students Union in Israel, who volunteered for military duty despite his handicap, Parliament Member Avi Dichter, former warrior in elite IDF MATKAL unit, awarded a military citation, former Head of General Security Services (Shin-Bet) and former Minister of Internal Security, Parliament Member Zvulun Orlev, awarded an IDF Medal of Distinguished Service and former minister in numerous ministries, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, retired paratroopers Major, former Parliament Member Dr. Tzvia Greenfield and Head of Opposition, Parliament Member, Tzipi Livni, former Mossad agent and former minister in numerous ministries including Minister of Foreign Affairs.

DraftHarediIsraelJerusalemKikar Parisarmydemonstratedemonstratingdemonstrationdemonstratorsdraft evasionequalitymandatorymarchmiddle eastmilitaryprotestprotestingservice201101205D018656EqualDraftProtestMarch