Netanyahu's son joins IDF - with bodyguard in tow (ILLUSTRATED)

Ha'aretz ^ | 09:58 21/07/2009 | The Associated Press

[Cinnamon Girl]

I knew what you meant. I was just showing some examples of Bibi getting emotional, even today, about his brother.

[Cinnamon Girl]

UPDATE: Netanyahu family fumes at talkbacks on son's IDF service

The Netanyahu family responded to talkbacks posted on Israeli Web sites on Tuesday suggesting that Yair Netanyahu, the premier's son who was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday, chose to avoid combat service in favor of a non-combatant task.

Unlike his father, Benjamin, and his fallen uncle, Yoni - who boast illustrious military careers in the famed, elite reconnaissance unit Sayeret Matkal - Yair Netanyahu will fulfill his three years of compulsory military service in the Israel Defense Forces Spokespersons Unit.

The Netanyahu family was affronted at the suggestion that Yair Netanyahu dodged combat service. As such, the prime minister's office took the rare step in issuing a statement, something which it customarily refrains from doing in matters related to the Netanyahu family.

"The parents, brothers, and all of Yair Netanyahu's relatives love him, are proud of him, and wish him success during his service in the Israel Defense Forces," the prime minister's office said in the statement.

Associates of the Netanyahus said on Tuesday that Yair Netanyahu has a health condition that precludes him from serving in combat.

My first thought when I saw he wasn't doing combat was that there was a health condition.

[SevenofNine]

Oh please Bibi family can’t win with stupid Israeli media

[Deb]

There has never been as ungrateful a group as the Israeli media. I guess they'd prefer for Yair to join his uncle. That the premier's son is even permitted to go at all is a shock to me.

The Orthodox Jews don't have to serve.

[Cinnamon Girl]

That's not accurate to say that Orthodox Jews don't have to serve. You know there are religious units. And there is sherut leumi. I know plenty of people who have served.

[Deb]

Wow. Really. Is that new? Or voluntary? When I was there the ex-military guy put in charge of driving us around was really bitter because the Hassedics didn’t have to serve or do anything else they didn’t want to.

[Cinnamon Girl]

There are some who, in lieu of serving in the IDF in some capacity, have religious deferments to study Torah full time. There are also units that divide time between studies and regular combat service.

[Deb]

Got it. Thanks.

[Katarina]

Thank you so much. God bless BiBi and his family and keep his son safe....all of them safe.