I prefer an agreed-upon and gradual solution but if we cannot reach such a
solution by August 1, the IDF will draft according to its needs, and I
believe that it will do so while taking into consideration the various
publics so as to prevent a rift in the nation.

PM Netanyahu's Remarks on the Tal Law
(Communicated by the Prime Minister’s Media Adviser)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke a short time ago today (Monday, 2
July 2012) with Vice Premier Shaul Mofaz and said, "Let us take the reins
and bring about a solution."

Earlier, during a discussion in his office on alternatives to the Tal Law,
Prime Minister Netanyahu said:

"I am committed to a more equitable division of the burden. In January, even
before the High Court of Justice ruling, I declared that I would work
towards greater equality in sharing the burden, gradually, among the
ultra-orthodox and Arab publics, without setting public against public. This
has been, and remains, my position.

We charged the Plesner Committee with formulating an agreed-upon proposal
for the Government and the coalition in keeping with the High Court of
Justice ruling. To my regret, the Plesner Committee did not succeed in
reaching agreed-upon outlines due to the withdrawal of several of its
members, and it cannot formulate a recommendation that would achieve a
Knesset majority. For all intents and purposes, the committee has disbanded.

I thank the five public representatives for their expedited work and for
investing their time in this important goal.

The disbanding of the committee does not obviate our responsibility to deal
with the issue of equality in bearing the burden. Therefore, I intend to do
the following:

1. This week I will invite the heads of the coalition parties to try and
formulate a proposal that would receive a Knesset majority. Pursuant to my
talks with Shaul Mofaz, I believe that with a joint effort we can achieve
the desired result.

2. If by August 1, there is no agreed-upon majority, the Tal Law will be
abrogated and Security Service Law will come into effect, applicable to all
Israeli citizens.

3. I prefer an agreed-upon and gradual solution but if we cannot reach such
a solution by August 1, the IDF will draft according to its needs, and I
believe that it will do so while taking into consideration the various
publics so as to prevent a rift in the nation.

4. Since the Security Service Law does not deal with the participation of
the Arab and ultra-orthodox publics in civilian service, we will also work
to provide arrangements for this issue."