IDF ‘plans to appeal to young diaspora Jews to enlist’ to plug shortfall in soldiers

Military correspondent Doron Kadosh, who first reported the news said: “According to the work done in the Manpower Directorate on the issue, the recruitment potential [internationally] among 18- to 25-year-olds (those of conscription age) in the large Jewish communities is more than 10,000 in each age cohort.”

He continued: “Senior IDF officials tell us: The target we intend to set is an increase of about 600 to 700 additional soldiers each year from Jewish communities abroad. The main communities that efforts will focus on are the United States and France.”

The IDF has an estimated shortfall of 10,000 to 12,000 soldiers, according to The Jerusalem Post; many blame the ongoing refusal of strictly Orthodox Jews to enlist.

There are thought to be around 14,600 deserters in Israel, the majority of whom are members of the Charedi community. 

"This story reflects the grim reality: Given that there are almost no ultra-Orthodox recruits, the IDF is forced to appeal to the warm Jewish sentiment of diaspora Jews – in an attempt to at least partially address the shortage of soldiers,” Kodosh said.

Writing on X, former government spokesman Eylon Levy described the situation as “totally crazy” and insisted “Israeli citizens must fulfill their civic duty!”

The reported plan emerged days after Jewish-American activist Blake Flayton, who made aliyah three years ago, announced that he would be enlisting in the IDF this week. 

He told the JC: “I decided to join the IDF a short time after October 7, because beforehand I was living in Israel for about a year, and didn’t really think it was necessary.

“Then, after October 7, I realised that I actually had a duty to the country, and that I needed to do something and give to the people of this country rather than just take from them … life experiences and all the good things that Israel has to offer. I want to offer Israel something in return.

He added: “Also, I realised that, 10 years from now I don’t want to be looking back and say Israel was at war and during my twenties I could have served in the army and didn’t.”⁠

Asked what he would say to other young people in his position, Flayton said: “If you’re in your twenties and you’re making aliyah, then you should definitely join the army. Because I made that decision knowing that it was the right thing to do. It’s the important, right, ethical thing to do when you move here in your twenties.

“Whether or not it’s going to be a good experience, I don’t know yet… But I would encourage them to at least enlist like I have.”