Leading Haredi Rabbi: We need a fresh approach to haredi military service

In a candid letter addressing one of Israel's most sensitive issues, Rabbi David Leibel has suggested that the current approach to military service exemptions for Torah scholars needs rethinking.

"While previous solutions have failed, that doesn't mean we're at a dead end," he writes. "In fact, continuing with deferment policies will only make things worse. We need to take a wider view and truly understand today's reality if we want to protect Torah study for future generations."

He urged immediate action "before things get worse."

The rabbi suggested a two-pronged approach: get military brass to officially guarantee religious accommodations, and set up a civilian oversight committee through the Defense Ministry to make sure those promises are kept.

"As coalition partners, we have the power to make this work," he wrote to party leaders. "But we need to act now."