What of the people in the middle, the traditional shomer shabbat? Israeli jews, who do serve in the army, not just dati leumi, but sephardi traditional mizrachi jews, who are happy and honoured to do both, learn Torah and serve in the army, learn Torah and work, pay taxes and support the wider community.
The arrogance of those thinking they are not meant to serve because they protect Yiddishkeit with their learning and observance is breathtaking. There are plenty of soldiers who keep mitzvot and do their army service, or if they wish opt out and do a communal voluntary posting instead.
Yes there were some charedi Jews in Israel 1948 and if they opposed the state and its army their descendants may feel they do not need to serve, but how many frum immmigrants have come into Israel over the years, taken all they can from the state and not serve, thousands, just visit Ramat Beit Shemesh and see the upheaval and bitterness they have caused.
Zahavasdad you are absolutely right about the wave of grief that followed the killings in Mumbai and the respect shown to those killed. The State of Israel flew all those killed home, Chabad had state funerals but of course the Satmar refused, but they allowed the State to fly the deceased over. Right now the Satmar with foreign money are in Israel campaigning against the State, if they all hate it so much, let them go. Speak to Israeli social workers about child abuse or domestic violence in places like meah shearin and they will tell of you a community that will riot against the police or medical crews, but not stop internal suffering amongst their own weakest and most vulnerable. Tragic that what was meant to be a token of kindness of Ben Gurion is now abused so many years later, deals can be broken and the charedi world should find a way to make their men do their part of the bargain in an appropriate way.Cowardice is not part of Torah teaching.