Military Service

After years of barriers, the IDF has carried out a revolution for the Ultra-Orthodox recruit. Dedicated and diverse tracks have been opened and adapted so that recruits do not have to compromise on their identity. The goal is to enlist thousands of young people from this sector every year.

There is military service that ends with a discharge certificate and a grant, and there is service that can turn into a career worth millions of shekels within a few years. The new documentary series "Exit at the Induction Center", based on Riki Maman's book "The Tech Oligarchy", examines how IDF technological units have become a major entry ticket to Israeli high-tech, and asks who gets this...

Against the backdrop of growing regional threats, including from Iran, Gulf kingdoms and emirates have opened service tracks for women in recent years. Female soldiers enlist voluntarily, and in Kuwait, the consent of a guardian and adherence to a dress code are required. Women's service is part of a broader policy change, including mandatory conscription, aimed at strengthening the connection...

The "Eagles of the North" program, which integrates Druze and Jewish recruits, has begun its second cycle. The goal is to overcome underrepresentation in the sector. Three members of the Druze community from the first cycle have already passed the initial screening for the flight course.

The IDF removed an AI-generated video from its official Instagram page that advised Haredi deserters on how to avoid arrest at the airport. The military stated the content was uploaded against official guidelines and has launched an investigation.

The series "Preparation for Victory" concludes tonight with its fourth episode, offering an inspiring look at pre-military training for IDF service. Channel 14 presenter Oded Harush joins students in rigorous physical and navigation exercises that form part of a vital community security network.

In a letter sent to religious institutions, they are required to declare that they do not have students who are subject to the draft but have not regulated their status, and to provide a full list of students and their ID numbers. An institution that does not meet the requirements may lose its Section 46 approval, which grants donors a tax credit: "Benefits provided in direct or indirect...

After three years of war: The IDF says thank you to reservists and their families — with more than 70 summer events across the country for about 100,000 participants.

A US Army unit is offering its soldiers an unusual incentive in exchange for extending their service: a four-day vacation in honor of the launch of the highly anticipated game. The military views the gaming population as an important pool of potential recruits.

Criticism continues against the US Secretary of Defense regarding the deterioration of service conditions aboard the aircraft carrier 'Abraham Lincoln'. This time, it comes from the political arena in the United States.

The invisible wounds of intelligence soldiers may not have been caused by a bullet, but they are no less real. They were caused by what you saw, what you heard, what you knew, what you did, what you failed to prevent - and what you are forbidden to tell anyone.

After supporting laws on draft evasion and exemption from arrests, the Minister of Finance claims that a "condition for entering the next government" will be his plan for "reducing reserve duty days to only 30 per year by 2027" - which relies, among other things, on the conscription of Haredim. Smotrich: "I presented the plan to the army, they told me, 'We don't manage the Treasury for you'."

Their spouses are on their sixth round of reserve duty since October 7, and they are living in a state of daily breakdown. Emuna Klein Bar-Noy and Maayan Shitrit told Ynet about raising children without their husbands ("every round is a practice for life without a father") and criticized MKs who support exemption from recruitment for the ultra-Orthodox: "How can they call themselves Zionists?"

The debate over Haredi conscription misses a broader question: does Israel need more soldiers because of security needs — or because of a policy that expands settlements? The path to a new partnership lies through core education, employment, and civil service.

Liam Aaron Gamzo continues the path of his brother, Staff Sergeant Ilay Gamzo, who fell in battle. His parents signed for his service in the infantry after he requested, 'Do not stop my life.' Among the new recruits to the brigade is also a lone soldier who immigrated specifically from Australia. 'Welcome to the IDF' series of reports.

The well-known TV presenting couple shared on Instagram the emotional struggle they face every week when their youngest son, Uria, returns to his IDF base. This time, the farewell before a family vacation felt particularly difficult.

At 21, another year in the career service can buy professional experience; at 25, one must weigh studies and benefits against a career starting to build outside; at 35, children, a mortgage, and a spouse's career enter the equation; and approaching retirement, the pension and rights you have accumulated change the calculation again. How do you know if the advantages of the career service are still...

A series of meetings between US Navy leadership and families of the "Abraham Lincoln" crew has revealed deep anger over poor conditions, supply shortages, and a lack of communication. Relatives expressed outrage over the prolonged mission and the political nature of the war against Iran.

Mandatory service has been extended from 4 to 11 months, women have entered the mandatory draft system for the first time, and the army will increase the number of recruits by about 50% by 2033. Princess Isabella has also reported for duty, and soon conscripts will be sent to Greenland for the first time against the backdrop of the threat from Russia and tensions with Trump.

The IDF recruited 4,300 Haredim in 2025, a record 53% increase. While significant, this figure represents only a small fraction of the 72,000 draft evaders, highlighting the scale of the challenge.

On Tuesday, recruits and their families gathered at Ariel Sharon Park for induction into the IDF Combat Engineering Corps. Despite parental anxiety, the new recruits show high morale and determination.

While in the past many asked "why armored corps?", today the new fighters declare with pride that they chose to join the corps intentionally. "At the end of the day we want to exist here, this is our country," one of them said. Among the recruits, Natan, an ultra-Orthodox young man, stood out, stating there was no hesitation regarding his decision.

The Navy induction day took place at the Tel HaShomer center. Young recruits prepare to trade civilian life for naval service, demonstrating high motivation and commitment to their values.

Lt. Col. A., commander of an IDF rescue battalion, faced a severe cancer diagnosis in the midst of the war. Despite aggressive chemotherapy and complex surgery, the officer refused to leave his post, finding strength in his service to fight the disease.

While the Rehabilitation Department at the Ministry of Defense tries to implement the committee's spirit and restore the soldiers' sense of capability, the IDF Personnel Directorate acts with rigid templates, ignores the successful rehabilitation, and cuts off with a uniform decision the path that the soldier built with great effort.

Corinne Gideon spoke about her husband Hili Sorotzkin's position on the issue of ultra-Orthodox conscription into the IDF and shared the difficult personal price she pays for expressing her views.

Major A. leads daring operations in Gaza and Lebanon, despite not having planned to stay in the military upon enlistment. After commanding recruits, she realized this was her place. An interview with Major A., the first woman in the role in the elite unit: "Sometimes I found myself sitting in a discussion as the only woman. I focused on what I know how to bring to the table."

MK Uri Maklev has sharply criticized the religious-Zionist sector. He stated that the attempt to combine Torah study with military service is causing significant damage to the Torah world.

The singer told the joint podcast with Keren Peles about an unusual moment from her military service: "The first case of reverse sexual harassment" | All the details

I was privileged to go through the path of ultra-Orthodox integration in the 'Netzah Yehuda' battalion myself; today I know that the army is not a threat to identity, but a process that can combine Torah and service. Those whose Torah is their craft should continue to study, but thousands who are not sitting in the Beit Midrash must serve.

The Movement for Quality Government has petitioned the High Court of Justice against the amendment extending mandatory military service to 32 months. The petition argues the law violates equality and constitutional rights.

Behind the impressive turnout for reserve duty lie hollow units, worn-out families, and compromised competence. The IDF must reduce service days, stop changing orders, create certainty, and return units to training — before it is too late.