Adobe rep in Israel: Don't employ draft dodgers
Chairman of Quicksoft, Israeli representative of software giant, is active member in group calling for equality in burden of military service. 'We must discriminate in favor of those who fulfilled their duty,' he says
The man, Reuven Agassi, chairman of Quicksoft, made it clear that the statement was not coordinated with Adobe or approved by the global company.
Following the publication, the recommendation was removed from the company's website, which now only includes message protesting draft dodging.
Agassi is a member of a parents' forum for equality in the burden of military service, a group which defines itself as a "spontaneous a-political organization of civilians from all parts of the public and parents of children serving in the IDF and other programs, who educate their children to enlist for a full military service."
According to the forum's website, "The public struggle which recently broke out over the IDF enlistment is one of the most justified struggles in the Israeli society. This is not a new issue and it was not born because of any remarks made by a defense minister or a chief of staff.
"We suggest favoring those who served in the army… The army releases people… It does not wish to deal with problematic people… We know that 50% of those who were released from the army find their war in life later on. We believe that they should not be given an advantage over others."
'I am aware of state's laws'
According to Employment (Equal Opportunities) Law, "An employer must not discriminate among his employees or among people seeking employment on account of their sex… personal status… views, party or reserve duty, call for reserve duty or expected reserve duty."
Agassi declared that he was aware of all the laws in the state of Israel and abided by them. "It is possible that there was room to word some things differently. We will change the wording in the coming hours," he told Ynet on Tuesday morning.
Isn't the decision to favor those who served in the army considered discrimination?
"I believe that we should discriminate in favor of those who fulfilled their duty and did it according to the law."
How will you distinguish between those released for legitimate medical reasons and those who dodged the draft?
"I can make the distinction if each person shows me with a discharge certificate and the army writes why that person was released from the army. If a person was released for medical reasons and he is suitable, he should be hired. But there are many people who were released because they don’t feel like serving in the army."
The law also rules that "an employer must not demand that a person seeking a job or an employee present him with his military profile, and must not make use of his military profile for any matter whatsoever."
Agassi claims the exact opposite: "As a person who has to decide whether to hire someone, I have the full right to know why he did not serve in the army."
Doesn’t that harm the person's right for privacy?
"It harms the rights of those who served in the army according to the law and the fact that they fulfilled their duty while a person evades his duty. If a person refuses to reveal his medical condition to me, I will consider, as I am a thinking person."
'Law aimed at preventing discrimination against Arabs'
The forum's strategic advisor, Itai Ben-Horin, submitted the following response: "I am aware of the fact that this does not match the law in its current form and I am ready to bear the consequences. The law must be changed.
"The law was not aimed at defending draft dodgers, but at preventing discrimination against Arabs who are not required to serve in the army. At the moment we are not referring to Arabs, until the civil service is implemented and they also get a chance to serve."
