Haredi draft

Sir, – Reader Yitzchak Ben-Shmuel (“Stark Juxtaposition,” Letters, March 10) responded with pride to the video of IDF commandos singing and welcoming the Sabbath on their way to intercept the Iranian vessel, while comparing it to the haredi protesters who, in his opinion, have caused a rift in Israeli society. Although my family serves proudly in the IDF, I would posit that the rift is due mainly to the populist politicians who insisted on criminal sanctions for the radical change in haredi lifestyle that MK Ayelet Shaked wanted to apply gradually, with understanding and care. But the real divide was evident in that beautiful video because it seemed to have been filmed on the Sabbath. That should be juxtaposed with the fears of haredi parents that their sons will become less observant due to IDF service. Haredi (and national-religious) families would shudder at the thought that their sons might be part of a non-combat situation where Jewish law is ignored, no matter how moving the video. ROCHEL SYLVETSKY Jerusalem