I heard something this morning on National Public Radio that caught my ear — and reminded me of a complaint I heard while traveling in the Middle East four years ago.

The NPR story told of how the Israeli Knesset — the country’s parliament — is considering a plan to draft Orthodox Jews into the military. Orthodox Jews currently are exempt from military service, unlike the rest of the Israeli population — male and female — that is subject to be drafted into military service.

I met many young Israelis while touring the country in May and June 2009 on a Rotary International Group Study Exchange visit with four young West Texans. The young Israelis all had served in the military. They did their service and returned to civilian life to begin their careers. It’s expected of them. One young woman I met in Karmiel had just gotten out of the army and was planning to take a lengthy trip to Europe, which she said many young people do as they transition back to the civilian world.

I also heard from more than a few Israelis about how Orthodox Jews — the most observant of Jews — skirt the obligation that others must fulfill. One gentleman, in his 60s, complained quite loudly to me about how the Orthodox Jews keep taking from society. “They won’t work,” he griped. “All they do is pray and go home and make more babies,” he railed, suggesting that their mission in life appears to be procreation, filling the Israelis population with more people who will be exempt from having to serve in the military.

And, yes, one sees many Orthodox Jews at holy shrines, such as the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The males cannot be mistaken for anyone else, as they have lengthy sideburns and beards, wear long black coats and wide-brimmed black hats.

Should they be conscripted into the military? I am not qualified to answer that question. After all, the United States did away with its draft in the early 1970s, creating an all-volunteer military machine.

I will suggest, though, that if the Knesset goes through with forcing Orthodox Jews into the formidable Israeli armed forces, a lot of complaining will stop. It could unite the country that — given its uncomfortably close proximity to ancient enemy nations — needs all the unification it can muster.