Maj. Gen. Elazar Stern, speaking during a conference at Bar Ilan University in Ramat Gan, Israel, called leftist non-religious youth and ultra-orthodox youth who receive government exemption from military service draft dodgers, the Jerusalem Post reported.

"When a leftist refuses to enlist we drag him to court," Stern said in a statement. "But when someone on the other side (right-wing religious) does not enlist, nothing is done."

Stern cited figures that say about 26 percent of Israeli youth do not enlist in the IDF, with a majority of that number from ultra-orthodox groups. Some critics argue that one factor to draft dodging may be a result of what is seen as a military failure during the war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Still, Stern argued that military service exemptions from the government did not mean that the youth involved were not draft-dodgers.

"There is no such thing as an entire neighborhood, an entire family or an entire community being suited to sitting and learning Torah," Stern said referencing the Torah studies that are used as a justification by the ultra-orthodox for military exemption.

During the speech Stern urged for more lucrative benefits for IDF graduates. He also criticized Israeli society for not appreciating those who serve in the IDF.

© 2007 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.