Vigil Stations To Solve Government Bottleneck

I would like to suggest an idea that would help Israel’s security, the Chareidi community, and the stability of the current government. There are many places in Israel that would benefit from ‘Vigil Stations’. The locations of the Vigil Stations might be in the Shomron, the Galil, the Jordon Valley, and many other places. Their locations should not be in very dangerous places, just in locations that would benefit by an extra level of security.

Secure buildings can be quickly built in these locations. For speed in implementation, they could initially be simple caravans. The Vigil Stations would be manned by perhaps 100 Charedim, who would spend almost all their time learning. In addition, they could learn other skills such as first aid and marksmanship.

The purpose of these Vigil stations would be to provide an extra level of security in these locations. One of the key elements of this plan would be that they would report to the police, not the army. Over the years the Chareidi community has developed a distrust for the motives of the army, and I think they would have a greater level of trust reporting to the police.

The young men in these Vigil Stations would spend 95% of their time learning. At the head of each Vigil Station would be a Rosh Yeshiva, who would guide their learning.

There would be no women at these Vigil Stations. By serving in these Vigil Stations, the young men would completely fulfill their army obligations. There could also be a kind of ‘miluim’ when men could spend some time there after their initial service is completed.

This plan could be implemented quickly. The government, along with the police, would select the locations for the Vigil Stations throughout Israel. A budget to implement the plan could be reserved right away. The Vigil Stations could initially be built with caravans, and they would be supplied with water, electricity, and a very secure fence. Roshei Yeshiva would be selected to lead the learning there. All the young men that the ‘draft’ are pursuing would be assigned to the Vigil Stations, and they could start learning there immediately.

The Kenneset could quickly pass a bill for these Vigil Stations, setting aside money to implement this plan immediately. The bill will make it clear that service in these Vigil Stations will completely fulfill the ‘military obligations’ of the young men who would serve there.

This would result in the Attorney General and the Supreme Court ‘getting off the back’ of the Chareidi young men that they claim are not fulfilling their military obligations. The financial rights that Chareidi families have seen curtailed recently can be immediately restored.

The Chareidi parties that have temporarily withheld their voting can resume voting with the government, strengthening the current government.

This plan can be implemented extremely quickly. What are we waiting for?