Does Israel allow openly gay people to serve in their military?

[bluestateguy]

If they do, then now would be a good time to remind our conservative friends that that would seem to negate the argument that allowing gays in the military somehow damages combat readiness.

[Neecy]

1. yes, I believe they do n/t

[Behind the Aegis]

2. yes.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. Everyone serves. nt

[Behind the Aegis]

4. that's not true. there are exceptions. n/t

[Viva_La_Revolution]

5. well I'm assuming for things like medical problems

and I knew a few people that were in the US working, they got deferments.

care to expand?

[Behind the Aegis]

10. Sure...

I apologize in advance for the cut and paste, but I am too lazy tonight to paraphrase. :)

National military service is compulsory for Jewish and Druze men, and Jewish women, over the age of 18, although exemptions may be made on religious, physical or psychological grounds (see Profile 21).

Following regular service, men may be called for reserve service of up to one month annually, until the age of 43-45 (reservists may volunteer after this age), and may be called for active duty immediately in times of crisis.

Druze Arabs and Circassians, like Israeli Jews, serve mandatory service in the IDF.

Service is not mandatory for all other Israeli minorities (notably Israeli Arabs but also Black Hebrews and others). However, a large number of Bedouin, as well as some Christian Arabs and even a few Muslim Arabs, volunteer.


Hope this helps! :)

On edit: Damnit! I forgot the link...source.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

11. thanks.

I amend my comment to almost everyone serves. :)

[ugarte]

13. Some ultra-Orthodox are not required to serve...nt

[Scribe]

6. Actually, it's a little known fact that there are no gay Jews.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

7. you forgot this...

:sarcasm:


Sexual minorities were until recently largely invisible in Israeli public discourse, and Israelis have traditionally viewed homosexuality with disdain. For the past decade, however, Israeli sexual minorities have rapidly been gaining legal rights and greater acceptance.

Due to both its sustained personnel needs and a recognition of the importance of military service to full societal acceptance, the IDF has never formally barred homosexuals from serving in its ranks. Before 1980, an admission of homosexuality would likely result in dismissal. In 1983, the military adopted regulations which officially allowed homosexuals to serve in the military. Sexual minorities were, however, prohibited from serving in intelligence positions and made to undergo additional psychological tests.

Improvements in both the legal and social standing of sexual minorities in Israel gave rise to changes within the military as well. In 1993, the IDF repealed the security restrictions against sexual minorities, and it more recently granted a widower same-sex benefits rights.

Security and mental health officials for the IDF have found that sexual minorities adapt to military life as well as heterosexuals. Scholars studying the issue have also determined that gay combat soldiers adopt similar methods of adjusting to military life as their heterosexual colleagues. Homosexuality appears to be peripheral to these soldiers preoccupations, and they reveal few problems associated with their sexual orientation.

http://www.gaymilitary.ucsb.edu/Publications/IsraelPub1.htm

[JI7]

8. on the other hand, do the Arab and Muslim nations allow the same

most likely not. so it would be good to bring up how our "friend" Israel allows it and our "enemies" don't.

but then again, i'm not sure it would make much difference as the Bush administration has no problem siding with nations like Iran when it comes to preventing gay rights and women's rights.

[Poll_Blind]

9. Yes, the Israeli regular military allows gays. I do not believe they're..

...allowed in the Mossad though but the real Mossad is a very, very small organization with even fewer katsa (case officers).

PB

[ugarte]

12. Being gay in itself is not an out. If you are ultra-orthodox, however

and in religious school, you need not serve.