rob: I suggested they be allowed to work at 18, not 28, without army service. They already under current law can work from 26 or 27 even if they illegally skipped the army. And no one can fight lowering the work age. If they passed a new law allowing people to work at age 18 without having served in the army — with no other provisions — there’s nothing anyone can fight. What will any rabbonim say? That the government must make it illegal to work between ages 18 and 27? That’s silly.
Regarding the second point, Bennet and Lapid’s plans do NOT allow anyone to choose non-military service instead of army service. They both insist there only be a very limited number of non-military service positions to replace army service (and extremely insufficient for how many Chareidim would choose that option) PLUS they insist that only the army can choose who the lucky few who will be offered that option. IOW, a Chareidi concientous objector whose religious beliefs preclude him from serving in the zionist military (Brisk, Satmar, Toldos Ahron, Eida Chareidus, etc.) may not even be allowed that option!