Joseph Farah’s G2 Bulletin carries a disquieting story about Refael and Margaret Chaiken, who were discharged for attending services for Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year. It’s behind a paid subscription so I can’t link to it, but it is nonetheless worth noting.
Although “army regulations require accommodation of religious practices,” the Chaikens were told not to do so.
“Refael Chaiken, 27, is a veteran of the Israeli army, holds dual citizenship and was looking forward to using his much-needed Arabic-language skills in aiding the U.S. war efforts in the Middle East. Margaret Chaiken, 26, holds a master’s degree from the Sorbonne and speaks fluent French and Hebrew.”
Nonetheless, they were discharged, although “G2B sources say Muslim soldiers are routinely exempted from physical training during the entire month of Ramadan.”
Also, “the dismissal of the Chaikens comes at a time when the Army has finally admitted what WorldNetDaily and G2B have been reporting for more than two years – a severe shortage of qualified Arabic interpreters and interrogators.” (Thanks to Jerry Gordon.)