As for the level of preparedness of the army, I agree. There is no space or money for the thousands of new soldiers a mass draft will bring. I am just pointing out the obvious- the army needs to be prepared for the ramifications before we can expect everyone to join. As for sheirut leumi, I am suggesting that more jobs be created within their own community. This way they can serve their country while still participating in the community they are comfortable in.

While coercion may be the only way to go in this scenario, it WILL cause more strife rather than solve the societal issue. There will be protests, there will be anger. The Hareidim will have to deal with it if the time comes. I am merely pointing out that it will do nothing to reduce the social gaps that have been created because of this issue.

i realize that 30+ years have passed and one can't undo history with a flip of a switch. however the basic goal should be clear – universal service with restrictions on who doesn't serve. you think that the army isn't ready to absorb a few thousand extra 18 year olds (and that is what we are talking about; the 27 years won't be serving)? guess what, sherut leumi is 1000 times less prepared.

in addition the problem of "use coercion and force them to serve against their will" is a non-issue. I'd love to drive 170 kph on kvish 6 but the government uses threats of coercion to keep my speed down. every single person here does things that they don't want to do, and their taxes go for goals about which they disagree (strongly). chareidim aren't the only ones who have problems with the GOI but somehow we deal with these problems; they can too.