Military service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) represents far more than a legal obligation for Israeli citizens—it serves as a foundational pillar of Israeli society, shaping national identity, social cohesion, and individual life trajectories. Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, military conscription has been viewed as both a practical necessity for national survival and a civic duty that binds diverse communities together under a shared commitment to defend the country. As of 2022, the minimum required length of military service is two years and eight months (with some roles requiring an additional four months of service) for all conscripted men, and two years (with some roles requiring an additional eight months of service) for conscripted Jewish women. This system of universal conscription, while facing contemporary challenges and evolving demographics, remains central to Israel’s defense strategy and social fabric.
The historical foundation of Israel’s conscription system dates back to the country’s founding, when the existential threats facing the nascent state necessitated the mobilization of all available human resources for national defense. In 1949, after the founding of the State of Israel, the Knesset passed the Defense Service Law which gave the IDF the authority to enlist any citizen over the age of 18. This legislation established the legal framework for mandatory military service that continues to govern conscription today, though it has undergone numerous modifications and refinements over the decades. The original conception of the law reflected the understanding that Israel’s survival depended on the willingness and ability of its citizens to serve in defense of the state, given the country’s precarious security situation and the ongoing hostility from neighboring Arab states.
Under current Israeli law, military service requirements are structured according to community affiliation and gender, reflecting both practical military needs and historical arrangements that have evolved over time. The IDF’s conscription laws only apply to three communities: the Jews, the Druze, and the Circassians. Both men and women are drafted from the Jewish community, whereas only men are drafted from the Druze and Circassian communities. This selective application of conscription reflects historical agreements and practical considerations regarding different communities’ relationships with the state and their traditional roles in Israeli society. National military service is mandatory for all Israeli citizens over the age of 18, although Arab (but not Druze) citizens are exempted if they so please, and other exceptions may be made on religious, physical or psychological grounds. The exemption of Arab citizens from mandatory service stems from the recognition of their complex position as members of a minority community in a Jewish state, though many choose to serve voluntarily.
The duration and structure of military service have evolved significantly since the establishment of the IDF, reflecting changing military needs, technological developments, and societal pressures. For male conscripts, the current service requirement stands at substantial duration that reflects the ongoing security challenges facing Israel. Men drafted since July 2015 serve two years and eight months (32 months), with some roles requiring an additional four months of Permanent service. Female conscripts face a somewhat shorter but still significant service obligation. Women serve two years. However, the nature of military roles increasingly demands specialized training and expertise, leading to extended service periods for certain positions. IDF women who volunteer for several combat positions often serve for three years, due to the longer period of training. Additionally, personnel in technical fields requiring extensive training may also serve extended periods to justify the military’s investment in their specialized education.
The requirements for new immigrants to Israel present a particularly complex aspect of the conscription system, as the country seeks to balance the integration of new citizens with military manpower needs. The system recognizes that new immigrants may require time to adjust to life in Israel before undertaking military service, leading to special provisions and considerations. However, starting in July of 2024, the requirements have changed, and the period increased to 36 months for this same age range, further adjusting the maximum limit for military duty. This recent modification reflects evolving policies regarding conscription and the ongoing reassessment of military service requirements in light of contemporary security challenges. The immigration factor adds layers of complexity to conscription policies, as the state must consider factors such as age at arrival, family status, and previous military experience in other countries.
Perhaps the most significant development in Israeli military conscription in recent decades has been the 2024 Supreme Court ruling that fundamentally altered the landscape of military service obligations. In June 2024, Israel’s Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Haredi Jews were eligible for compulsory service, ending nearly eight decades of exemption. This landmark decision represents a seismic shift in Israeli military and social policy, overturning an arrangement that had been in place since the founding of the state. The ruling emerged from growing tensions within Israeli society regarding the fairness and sustainability of exempting an increasingly large segment of the population from military service while others bore the burden of defending the country.
The historical background of the Haredi exemption illustrates how pragmatic arrangements made during Israel’s founding evolved into contentious social and political issues. The arrangement became increasingly controversial in Israeli society, with growing discontent towards the increasingly populous Haredi community not “sharing the burden” of national duty. What began as a limited arrangement affecting a small number of Torah scholars gradually expanded to encompass tens of thousands of young men, fundamentally altering the demographic composition of those serving in the military. Through an arrangement established during the founding of the state, Haredi men have enjoyed a de facto exemption from the mandatory IDF or non-military service requirement that legally applies to all Jewish Israeli citizens. This system, known as “Torato Umanuto” (Torah study is his profession), allowed Haredi men to defer military service indefinitely while engaged in religious studies.
The implementation of the 2024 Supreme Court ruling has proven challenging, highlighting the deep divisions within Israeli society regarding military service and religious observance. In July 2024, the army began drafting 3,000 Haredi men. However, the response from the Haredi community has been largely one of resistance and non-compliance. The low response rate to conscription orders has necessitated enforcement measures, including legal action against those who fail to report for service. In mid November 2024 it was announced that Israeli military officials had issued 1,126 arrest warrants for ultra-Orthodox Jewish conscripts who had not responded to drafting orders. This enforcement represents a significant escalation in the government’s efforts to implement the court’s ruling and ensure compliance with military service obligations.
The exemption system for military service extends beyond the recently challenged Haredi exemption, encompassing various categories of Israeli citizens who may be excused from service for different reasons. Religious exemptions for women represent one of the largest categories of non-service, reflecting traditional religious perspectives on women’s roles and the accommodation of religious practices within the secular military framework. Additionally, female Jewish draftees can be exempt due to marriage, pregnancy, motherhood, or religious commitments, including observing dietary and Sabbath travel laws. The scale of these exemptions is substantial, with significant implications for military manpower planning. According to 2007 IDF figures, the largest single group of young (Jewish) Israelis who avoided conscription consisted of women who claim exemptions on religious grounds. This group made up 35% of all women eligible for the draft.
Beyond religious considerations, the IDF recognizes various other grounds for exemption that reflect individual circumstances and military needs. Grounds for exemptions are expatriate status, medical or psychological issues, conscientious objection, and criminal record (subject to review). These exemptions ensure that military service remains appropriate for individual circumstances while maintaining the overall integrity of the conscription system. The military’s approach to exemptions reflects a balance between maximizing available manpower and recognizing legitimate reasons why certain individuals may be unsuitable for or unable to perform military service.
The IDF has developed several specialized programs that accommodate different religious and cultural backgrounds while maintaining military effectiveness and unit cohesion. The Hesder program represents one of the most successful examples of integrating religious study with military service, demonstrating how traditional religious observance can be compatible with military obligations. Members of the Religious Zionist sector often serve within a separate system called Hesder, a concept developed by Rabbi Yehuda Amital, which combines advanced Talmudic studies with military service in the Israel Defense Forces. This program has proven attractive to religiously observant Jews who wish to fulfill both their military and religious obligations. Many Religious Zionist men (and many Modern Orthodox who make Aliyah) elect to do Hesder, a five-year program envisioned by Rabbi Yehuda Amital which combines Torah learning and military service.
For those who have completed their mandatory military service, the obligations to the state and military do not simply end upon discharge. Israel’s reserve system represents a crucial component of the country’s defense strategy, recognizing that the small size of the regular army necessitates the ability to rapidly mobilize trained personnel in times of crisis. Once they have completed their mandatory term of service, all discharged citizens remain eligible to be called up for reserve duty until the age of 40. This system creates a large pool of trained personnel who can be activated when needed, significantly multiplying the effective size of Israel’s military forces. Having completed their military service, many Israelis remain reservists — which means they return for training at times to keep their skills relevant and can be called up to serve in emergency situations.
The recent conflicts, particularly the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, have demonstrated both the importance and the burden of the reserve system. The scale of reserve mobilization has been unprecedented, placing significant strains on both individuals and the broader economy. The mobilisation of about 350,000 reservists will boost the IDF’s numbers to about half a million. This massive call-up has affected virtually every sector of Israeli society, as reservists leave their civilian jobs and families to serve in military operations. The extensive use of reserves has highlighted ongoing debates about the sustainability of current military service requirements and the need for reforms to address changing demographic and strategic realities.
The demographic changes within Israeli society present significant challenges for the current conscription system, as the growing Haredi population affects the pool of available military personnel. Around 1.3 million of the country’s 9.5 million people are Haredim. This demographic shift has profound implications for military manpower planning, as traditional recruitment patterns may no longer be sustainable given changing population compositions. The high birth rates within the Haredi community mean that this challenge will only intensify over time unless policy changes address the integration of this community into military service. Frustration is also rising over plans to raise the military service of men to three years and to double the duty of reservists to 42 days a year during emergencies. These proposed changes reflect the military’s assessment of its personnel needs but also highlight the increasing burden being placed on those who do serve.
The financial aspects of military service add another dimension to current debates about conscription and service requirements. The IDF provides compensation to conscripts, though the amounts vary significantly based on role and specialization. Conscripts are paid according to four tiers based on their positions. Frontline soldiers receive NIS 3,048 a month, other combat soldiers receive NIS 2,463, combat support soldiers receive NIS 1,793, and administrative soldiers receive NIS 1,235. While these amounts provide some compensation for military service, they remain significantly below civilian earning potential, representing a substantial economic sacrifice for those who serve. Career soldiers receive higher compensation, with Career soldiers are paid on average NIS 23,000 a month.
International programs and volunteer opportunities provide additional pathways for those connected to Israel to contribute to military service, even if they are not citizens subject to mandatory conscription. These programs recognize the global nature of Jewish identity and Israel’s connection to Jewish communities worldwide. The military has developed various frameworks to accommodate different levels of commitment and capability among international volunteers. Programs exist specifically for former Israelis living abroad, those of Jewish descent seeking to contribute to Israel’s defense, and other categories of international supporters who wish to volunteer for military service.
Looking toward the future, the IDF faces fundamental questions about the sustainability and effectiveness of its current conscription model. Demographic trends, changing security challenges, technological developments, and evolving social attitudes all contribute to pressures for reform of the military service system. The integration of the Haredi community into military service represents just one aspect of broader challenges facing Israeli military planners. Questions about the appropriate length of service, the balance between mandatory and volunteer service, and the role of reserves in national defense strategy all require ongoing evaluation and potential reform.
The resolution of current controversies surrounding military service will likely have profound implications for Israeli society beyond the military sphere. The principles of equality before the law, shared civic responsibility, and social cohesion are all implicated in debates about who serves and under what conditions. The Supreme Court’s intervention in the Haredi exemption issue reflects broader tensions about the role of religion in public policy and the extent to which traditional arrangements can be maintained in the face of changing circumstances. The outcome of these debates will help shape the character of Israeli society and the relationship between different communities within the state.
The current period represents a critical juncture for Israeli military service requirements, as longstanding arrangements face legal challenges, demographic pressures, and security demands that may no longer be sustainable under traditional frameworks. The success or failure of efforts to integrate previously exempt communities into military service will have lasting implications for military effectiveness, social equality, and national unity. As Israel continues to face significant security challenges in a volatile regional environment, the resolution of these issues becomes not merely a matter of policy preference but a question of national capability and social survival. The evolving nature of military service requirements reflects broader transformations within Israeli society and the ongoing challenge of balancing diverse interests and values within a democratic framework facing existential security threats.
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