Why Amir? Why?

Mortors and kassams continue to rain down on Israel and a few birds are coming home to rooster on Shimon Peretz’s head in his quest for the presidency of the Israeli state. But the story of the day which captures my attention is Amir Peretz’s (Israeli Minister of Defense) decision to override the IDF staff decision to downgrade the hesder program and make religious soldiers ineligible to serve in the elite combat units. For a little background see link here. Ha’artez carries this report.

Hesder yeshiva students will continue to serve in segregated units within the Israel Defense Forces Paratrooper Corps. and Golani Brigade, Defense Minister Amir Peretz decided on Tuesday, despite the dissenting opinion of army head of manpower Major General Eliezer Stern.

Peretz told Stern he opposed his proposal to disperse graduates of the hesder yeshiva program that combines army service with torah studies within mixed units. "The [hesder] arrangements are not softer and do not allow slacking, and I support them," he said.

Hesder yeshiva students serve in separate units within the armed forces for periods of between 16 to 24 months, while regular male army recruits are required to serve at least 36 months. However, the number of hesder recruits who serve in combat units is much higher than average.

Amir Peretz has never been a friend of the religious in Israel-so why the change of heart? Some might suggest Peretz finally hears the sound of the Mosiach calling but I somehow doubt that. And if I was a cyncial woman, I would suggest it might be his last chance to stick it to the IDF and Kadima brass before he steps down as leader of the Labour party and Minister of Defense with a decision he knows they will fundmentally disapprove of. Oh wait, I am a cynical woman.