Editing Israel Defense Forces (section)

==Service==
===Military service routes===
[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - 163rd IAF Flight Course Graduates (1).jpg|thumb|163rd IAF flight course graduates (2011)]]
The military service is held in three different tracks:
* '''[[National service|Regular service]]''' (שירות חובה): mandatory military service which is held according to the Israeli security service law.
* '''[[Military recruitment|Permanent service]]''' (שירות קבע): military service which is held as part of a contractual agreement between the IDF and the permanent position-holder.
* '''[[Reserve duty (Israel)|Reserve service]]''' (שירות מילואים): a military service in which citizens are called for active duty of at most a month every year (in accordance with the Reserve Service Law), for training and ongoing military activities and especially to increase the military forces in case of a war.

Sometimes the IDF would also hold pre-military courses (קורס קדם צבאי or קד"צ) for soon-to-be regular service soldiers.

===Special service routes===
{{More citations needed section|date=June 2017}}
[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Flight School Graduates Receive Their New Rankings as Air Force Officers.jpg|thumb|IAF flight academy graduates receive their ranks as air force officers.]]
* '''[[Shoher]]''' (שוחר), a person enrolled in pre-military studies (high school, technical college up to engineering degree, some of the קד"ץ courses) – after completing the twelfth study year will do a two-month boot-camp and, if allowed, enter a program of education to qualify as a [[practical engineer]], with at least two weeks of training following each study year. Successful candidates will continue for an engineering [[bachelor degree]].
* '''Civilian working for the IDF''' ({{langx|he|אזרח עובד צה"ל}}), a civilian working for the military.

The [[Manpower Directorate|Israeli Manpower Directorate]] ({{langx|he|אגף משאבי אנוש}}) at the [[General Staff (Israel)|Israeli General Staff]] is the body which coordinates and assembles activities related to the control over human resources and its placement.

====Regular service====
{{Main|Conscription in Israel}}
[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Trying on Uniforms for the First Time (1).jpg|thumb|IDF recruits trying on uniforms for the first time]]
[[File:Nahal-kumta.jpg|thumb|IDF [[Nahal Brigade]] soldiers on their regular service]]

National military service is mandatory for all [[Israelis|Israeli]] citizens over the age of 18, although [[Arab-Israeli|Arab]] (but not [[Druze]]) citizens are exempted if they so please, and other exceptions may be made on religious, physical or psychological grounds (see [[Profile 21]]). The [[Tal law]] exempted ultra-Orthodox Jews from service. In June 2024, [[Israel's Supreme Court]] unanimously ruled that Haredi Jews were eligible for compulsory service, ending nearly eight decades of exemption.<ref name=APNews20240625>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-25 |title=Israel's high court orders the army to draft ultra-Orthodox men, rattling Netanyahu's government |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-politics-ruling-military-service-orthodox-e2a8359bcea1bd833f71845ee6af780d |access-date=2024-06-25 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> The army began drafting Haredi men the following month.<ref name="TOI20240718">{{cite news |last=Fabian |first=Emanuel |date=18 July 2024 |title=IDF to begin drafting 3,000 Haredi men starting Sunday, in three waves |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-to-begin-drafting-3000-haredi-men-starting-sunday-in-three-waves/ |newspaper=Times of Israel}}</ref>

Until the draft of July 2015, men served three years in the IDF. Men drafted since July 2015 serve two years and eight months (32 months), with some roles requiring an additional four months of Permanent service. Women serve two years. The IDF women who volunteer for several combat positions often serve for three years, due to the longer period of training. Women in other positions, such as programmers, who also require lengthy training time, may also serve three years.

Many [[Religious Zionism|Religious Zionist]] men (and many [[Modern Orthodox Judaism|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]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=This Day in Jewish History / A Yeshiva Head and Settler Who Had a Change of Heart Is Born |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/.premium-this-day-settler-rabbi-who-had-a-change-of-heart-is-born-1.5322317 |access-date=2022-04-14 |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111145405/https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/.premium-this-day-settler-rabbi-who-had-a-change-of-heart-is-born-1.5322317 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Some distinguished recruits are selected to be trained to eventually become members of [[Sayeret|special forces units]]. Every brigade in the IDF has its special force branch.

Career soldiers are paid on average [[Israeli new shekel|NIS]] 23,000 a month. 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zrahiya |first=Zvi |date=6 November 2011 |title=Barak Wants to Pay Minimum Wage to IDF Conscripts |url=http://www.haaretz.com/business/barak-wants-to-pay-minimum-wage-to-idf-conscripts-1.393937 |work=[[Haaretz]] |location=Tel Aviv |access-date=7 June 2017 |archive-date=17 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817232629/http://www.haaretz.com/business/barak-wants-to-pay-minimum-wage-to-idf-conscripts-1.393937 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/government-raises-soldiers-pay-following-major-backlash-over-high-pensions/|title=Government raises soldiers' pay following major backlash over high pensions|first=Judah Ari|last=Gross|website=www.timesofisrael.com}}</ref>

In 1998–2000, only about 9% of those who [[Refusal to serve in the Israeli military|refused to serve in the Israeli military]] were granted an exemption.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dayan |first=Aryeh |date=3 March 2002 |title=Pacifists are fighting hard against the draft |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/pacifists-are-fighting-hard-against-the-draft-1.51499 |work=[[Haaretz]] |location=Tel Aviv |access-date=20 July 2013 |archive-date=4 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304230627/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/pacifists-are-fighting-hard-against-the-draft-1.51499 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Permanent service====
Permanent service is designed for soldiers who choose to continue serving in the army after their regular service, for a short or long period, and in many cases making the military their career. Permanent service is based on a contractual agreement between the IDF and the permanent position holder.

====Reserve service====
{{main|Reserve duty (Israel)}}
After personnel complete their regular service, they are either granted permanent exemption from military service or assigned a position in the reserve forces. No distinction is made between the assignment of men and women to reserve service.

The IDF may call up reservists for:
* reserve service of up to one month every three years, until the age of 40 (enlisted) or 45 (officers). Reservists may volunteer after this age, with the approval of the Manpower Directorate.
* immediate active duty in wartime.

All Israelis who served in the IDF and are under the age of 40, unless otherwise exempt, are eligible for reserve duty. Only those who completed at least 20 days of reserve duty within the past three years are considered active reservists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/just-a-quarter-of-all-eligible-reservists-serve-in-the-idf/|title=Just a quarter of all eligible reservists serve in the IDF|website=[[The Times of Israel]]|access-date=29 August 2017|archive-date=29 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829172504/http://www.timesofisrael.com/just-a-quarter-of-all-eligible-reservists-serve-in-the-idf/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Non-IDF service===
Other than the civil, i.e. non-military "National Service" (''[[Sherut Leumi]]''), IDF conscripts may serve in bodies other than the IDF in several ways.

The combat option is [[Israel Border Police]] (''Magav'' – the exact translation from Hebrew means "border guard") service, part of the [[Israel Police]]. Some soldiers complete their IDF combat training and later undergo additional [[counter terror]] and Border Police training. These are assigned to Border Police units. The Border Police units fight side by side with the regular IDF combat units though to a lower capacity. They are also responsible for security in heavy urban areas such as [[Jerusalem]] and security and crime fighting in rural areas.

Non-combat services include the {{ill|Mandatrory Police Service|he|שירות חובה במשטרה}} (''Shaham'', שח"מ) program, where youth serve in the [[Israeli Police]], [[Israel Prison Service]], or other wings of the [[Israeli Security Forces]] instead of the regular army service.

===Women===
{{Main|Women in the Israel Defense Forces}}
[[File:Nightshot3332214.JPG|thumb|IDF Warrant Officers with the M16 and [[IWI X95]]; two common assault rifles of the IDF.]]
Israel is one of only a few nations that conscript women or deploy them in combat roles, although in practice, women can avoid conscription through a religious exemption and over a third of Israeli women do so.<ref>[http://forward.com/articles/121173/abuse-of-idf-exemptions-questioned/ Abuse of IDF Exemptions Questioned] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210075735/http://forward.com/articles/121173/abuse-of-idf-exemptions-questioned/ |date=10 February 2015 }} The Jewish Daily Forward, 16 December 2009</ref> As of 2010, 88% of all roles in the IDF are open to female candidates, and women could be found in 69% of all IDF positions.<ref>[http://www.idfblog.com/blog/2010/08/25/statistics-womens-service-in-the-idf-for-2010-25-aug-2010/ Statistics: Women's Service in the IDF for 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513215641/https://www.idfblog.com/blog/2010/08/25/statistics-womens-service-in-the-idf-for-2010-25-aug-2010/ |date=13 May 2015 }} IDF, 25 August 2010</ref>

According to the IDF, 535 female Israeli soldiers were killed during service in the period 1962–2016,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.719038?v=BDD11CFC5DFD7E6A2F0CD56A63DF587A|title=Israeli woman who broke barriers downed by Hezbollah rocket as 2006 combat volunteer – Israel News|newspaper=Haaretz|access-date=29 May 2016|archive-date=6 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806094515/http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.719038?v=BDD11CFC5DFD7E6A2F0CD56A63DF587A|url-status=live}}</ref> and dozens before then. The IDF says that fewer than 4 percent of women are in combat positions. Rather, they are concentrated in "combat-support" positions which command a lower compensation and status than combat positions.<ref name="Gaza: It's a Man's War">[https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/08/gaza-a-mans-war-israel-gender/375689/ Gaza: It's a Man's War] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308050053/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/08/gaza-a-mans-war-israel-gender/375689/ |date=8 March 2017 }} The Atlantic, 7 August 2014</ref>

Civilian pilot and aeronautical engineer Alice Miller successfully petitioned the High Court of Justice to take the Israeli Air Force pilot training exams, after being rejected on grounds of gender. Though president [[Ezer Weizman]], a former IAF commander, told Miller that she would be better off staying home and darning socks, the court eventually ruled in 1996 that the IAF could not exclude qualified women from pilot training. Even though Miller would not pass the exams, the ruling was a watershed, opening doors for women in new IDF roles. Female legislators took advantage of the momentum to draft a bill allowing women to volunteer for any position if they could qualify.<ref name="feldinger">{{cite news|author=Lauren Gelfond Feldinger|title=Skirting history|work=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=22 March 2011|date=21 September 2008|url=http://www.jpost.com/Home/Article.aspx?id=114834|archive-date=21 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221192954/https://www.jpost.com/Home/Article.aspx?id=114834|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2000, the Equality Amendment to the Military Service law stated that the right of women to serve in any role in the IDF is equal to the right of men.<ref name=mfaWomen>{{cite web|title=Integration of women in the IDF|publisher=Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs|url=http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Israel+beyond+politics/Integration_women_in_IDF-March_2009|access-date=23 March 2011|date=8 March 2009|archive-date=14 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114102140/http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Israel%2Bbeyond%2Bpolitics/Integration_women_in_IDF-March_2009|url-status=live}}</ref> Women have served in the military since before the founding of the state of Israel in 1948.<ref name="womenIDF">{{cite web|title=Women in the IDF|url=http://idfspokesperson.com/2011/03/07/women-in-the-idf/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311125757/http://idfspokesperson.com/2011/03/07/women-in-the-idf/|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 March 2011|publisher=Israel Defense Forces|access-date=22 March 2011|date=7 March 2011}}</ref> Women started to enter combat support and light combat roles in a few areas, including the Artillery Corps, infantry units and armoured divisions. A few platoons named Karakal were formed for men and women to serve together in light infantry. By 2000, Karakal became a [[Caracal Battalion|full-fledged battalion]], with a second mixed-gender battalion, Lions of the Jordan (אריות הירדן, Arayot Ha-Yarden) formed in 2015. Many women also joined the [[Israeli Border Police|Border Police]].<ref name="feldinger" />

In June 2011, Maj. General [[Orna Barbivai]] became the first female major general in the IDF, replacing the head of the directorate Maj. General Avi Zamir. Barbivai stated, "I am proud to be the first woman to become a major general and to be part of an organization in which equality is a central principle. Ninety percent of jobs in the IDF are open to women and I am sure that other women will continue to break down barriers."<ref name="The Jerusalem Post">{{cite news|last=Katz|first=Yaakov|title=Orna Barbivai becomes first female IDF major general|url=http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=226336|access-date=10 July 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|date=23 July 2011|archive-date=17 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017072546/http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=226336|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Yedioth Ahronot">{{cite news|last=Greenberg|first=Hanan|title=IDF names 1st female major-general|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4074563,00.html|access-date=10 July 2012|newspaper=Yedioth Ahronot|date=26 May 2011|archive-date=11 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411122055/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4074563,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2013, the IDF announced they would, for the first time, allow a transgender woman to serve in the army as a female soldier.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://awiderbridge.org/transgender-in-the-idf/#sthash.ZAUcxHOz.dpuf |title=Transgender in the IDF |publisher=AWiderBridge |date=7 August 2013 |access-date=3 August 2014 |archive-date=6 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306122521/http://awiderbridge.org/transgender-in-the-idf/#sthash.ZAUcxHOz.dpuf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Elana Sztokman notes it would be "difficult to claim that women are equals in the IDF". "And tellingly, there is only one female general in the entire IDF," she adds.<ref name="Gaza: It's a Man's War"/> In 2012, religious soldiers claimed they were promised they would not have to listen to women sing or lecture, but IAF Chief Rabbi Moshe Raved resigned because male religious soldiers were being required to do so.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4171199,00.html Haredi soldier warns: We'll leave IDF over women's singing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223021953/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4171199,00.html |date=23 December 2014 }} YNET, 4 January 2012</ref> In January 2015, three women IDF singers performed in one of the IDF's units. The performance was first disrupted by fifteen religious soldiers, who left in protest and then the Master Sergeant forced the women to end the performance because it was disturbing the religious soldiers. An IDF spokesperson announced an investigation of the incident: "We are aware of the incident and already begun examining it. The exclusion of women is not consistent with the values of the IDF."<ref>[http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/politics-and-military/military/female-soldiers-were-not-permitted-to-sing-the-national-anthem-10905 Female soldiers were not permitted to sing the national anthem] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206060530/http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/politics-and-military/military/female-soldiers-were-not-permitted-to-sing-the-national-anthem-10905 |date=6 February 2015 }} Jerusalem Online, 11 January 2015</ref>

Defense Minister [[Moshe Ya'alon]] has also arranged for women to be excluded from recruitment centres catering to religious males.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4586197,00.html IDF offers haredim 'women-free' recruitment centers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707025017/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4586197,00.html |date=7 July 2017 }} YNET, 31 October 2014</ref> As the IDF recruits more religious soldiers, the rights of male religious soldiers and women in the IDF come into conflict. Brig. Gen. Zeev Lehrer, who served on the chief of staff's panel of the integration of women, noted "There is a clear process of 'religionization' in the army, and the story of the women is a central piece of it. There are very strong pressures at work to halt the process of integrating women into the army, and they are coming from the direction of religion."<ref>[http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2012/10/women_in_israel_as_the_idf_becomes_more_religious_the_rights_of_female_soldiers.2.html No Touching] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207205948/http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2012/10/women_in_israel_as_the_idf_becomes_more_religious_the_rights_of_female_soldiers.2.html |date=7 February 2015 }} Slate, 11 October 2012</ref>

[[Sex segregation]] is allowed in the IDF, which reached what it considers a "new milestone" in 2006, creating the first company of soldiers segregated in an all-female unit, the Nachshol (Hebrew for "giant wave") Reconnaissance Company. "We are the only unit in the world made up entirely of female combat soldiers," said Nachshol Company Commander Cpt. Dana Ben-Ezra. "Our effectiveness and the dividends we earn are the factors by which we are measured, not our gender."<ref>[http://www.idf.il/1283-18166-en/Dover.aspx Leading the way in gender equality] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207212614/http://www.idf.il/1283-18166-en/Dover.aspx |date=7 February 2015 }} IDF, 27 January 2013</ref>

With the rise of social media platforms such as [[TikTok]] and [[Twitter]], some critics claim that women in the IDF are frequently used as tools of propaganda, with official military accounts frequently posting attractive young women to create a sympathetic social media presence.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Dickson |first=Ej |date=2021-05-27 |title=Why Are Israeli Defense Forces Soldiers Posting Thirst Traps on TikTok? |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/israel-defense-force-idf-tiktok-thirst-trap-1174211/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Minorities in the IDF===
Non-Jewish minorities tended to serve in one of several special units: the [[Sword Battalion]], also known as Unit 300 or the Minorities Unit, until it was disbanded in 2015;<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.657084 | title=IDF to disband Druze battalion after more than 40 years' service | work=Haaretz | date=May 19, 2015 | access-date=2019-12-02 | author=Cohen, Gili | archive-date=2 October 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002010404/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.657084 | url-status=live }}</ref> the Druze Reconnaissance Unit; and the Trackers Unit, composed mostly of [[Negev Bedouins]]. In 1982, the IDF general staff decided to integrate the armed forces by opening up other units to minorities, while placing some Jewish conscripts in the Minorities Unit. Until 1988, the Intelligence Corps and the Air Force remained closed to minorities.

===Druze and Circassians===
[[File:DruzeSoldier.jpg|thumb|A [[Druze]] commander of the IDF Herev battalion]]

Although Israel has a majority of Jewish soldiers, all citizens including large numbers of [[Israeli Druze|Druze]] and [[Circassians in Israel|Circassian]] men are subject to mandatory conscription.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aka.idf.il/brothers/skira/default.asp?catId=57478&docId |title=IDF human resources site |publisher=IDF |access-date=10 June 2010 |language=he |archive-date=28 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928071234/http://www.aka.idf.il/brothers/skira/default.asp?catId=57478&docId |url-status=dead }}</ref> Originally, they served in the framework of a special unit called "The Minorities' Unit", which operated until 2015 in the form of the independent Herev Gdud [[IDF Sword Battalion|("Sword") battalion]]. However, since the 1980s Druze soldiers have increasingly protested this practice, which they considered a means of segregating them and denying them access to elite units (like [[sayeret]] units). The army has increasingly admitted Druze soldiers to regular combat units and promoted them to higher ranks from which they had been previously excluded.

In 2015, Rav Aluf [[Gadi Eizenkot]] ordered the unit's closure to assimilate the Druze soldiers no differently than Jewish soldiers, as part of an ongoing reorganization of the army. Several Druze officers reached ranks as high as Major General, and many received commendations for distinguished service. In proportion to their numbers, the Druze people achieve much higher—documented—levels in the Israeli army than other soldiers. Nevertheless, some Druze still charge that discrimination continues, such as exclusion from the [[Israel Air Force|Air Force]], although the official low-security classification for Druze has been abolished for some time. The first Druze aircraft navigator completed his training course in 2005. Like all Air Force pilots, his identity is not disclosed. During the [[1948 Arab–Israeli War]], many Druze who had initially sided with the Arabs deserted their ranks to either return to their villages or side with Israel in various capacities.<ref name="Gelber">{{cite news |title= Druze and Jews in the war of 1948. (Israel-Arab War of 1948–49)|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-16921885.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070528194735/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-16921885.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 May 2007|author=Gelber, Yoav |date=1 April 1995|work=Middle Eastern Studies}}</ref>

Since the late 1970s, the Druze Initiative Committee, centred at the village of [[Beit Jan]] and linked to [[Maki (political party)|Maki]], has campaigned to abolish Druze conscription.

Military service is a tradition among some of the Druze population, with most opposition in Druze communities of the [[Golan Heights]]. 83 per cent of Druze boys serve in the army, according to the IDF's statistics.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.jpost.com/Home/Article.aspx?id=129391 |title=Covenant of blood |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |author=Larry Derfner |date=15 January 2009 |access-date=10 June 2010 |archive-date=1 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001060221/http://www.jpost.com/home/article.aspx?id=129391 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the Israeli army in 2010, 369 Druze soldiers had been killed in combat operations since 1948.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dover.idf.il/IDF/News_Channels/Personal/10/10/1102.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324151019/http://dover.idf.il/IDF/News_Channels/Personal/10/10/1102.htm|archive-date=24 March 2012|title=מוכנים לטייס הדרוזי הראשון?|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Bedouins and Israeli Arabs===
[[File:Bedouin IDF1949.jpg|thumb|Bedouin soldiers in 1949]]
[[File:Israeli soldiers and Arabs.jpg|thumb|Israeli Arab soldiers, serving in the [[Galilee]] in 1978]]
[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Bedouin Soldier with Schoolchild.jpg|thumb|Bedouin Desert Reconnaissance Battalion, visiting an Arab school]]

By law, all Israeli citizens are subject to conscription. The Defense Minister has complete discretion to grant exemption to individual citizens or classes of citizens. A long-standing policy dating to Israel's early years extends an exemption to all other Israeli minorities (most notably [[Israeli Arab]]s). However, there is a long-standing government policy of encouraging [[Bedouin]]s to volunteer and of offering them various inducements, and in some impoverished Bedouin communities a military career seems one of the few means of (relative) social mobility available. Also, Muslims and Christians are accepted as volunteers, even if older than 18.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aka.idf.il/brothers/skira/default.asp?catId=57479&docId= |title=IDF Human Resources site |access-date=10 June 2010 |language=he |archive-date=18 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018125909/http://www.aka.idf.il/brothers/skira/default.asp?catId=57479&docId= |url-status=dead }}</ref>

From among non-Bedouin Arab citizens, the number of volunteers for military service—some [[Arab Christians and Arabic-speaking Christians|Christian Arabs]] and even a few Muslim Arabs—is minute, and the government makes no special effort to increase it. Six Israeli Arabs have received orders of distinction as a result of their military service; of them the most famous is a Bedouin officer, Lieutenant Colonel Abd el-Majid Hidr (also known as [[Amos Yarkoni]]), who received the Order of Distinction. Vahid el Huzil was the first Bedouin to be a battalion commander.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART2/271/121.html |title=History in Tzahal the first Bedouin to be Battalion Commander |publisher=Nrg.co.il |access-date=20 July 2013 |archive-date=20 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920223124/http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART2/271/121.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.walla.co.il/?w=/9/782336 |title=a Bedouin officer got the command on a battalion |work=News.walla.co.il |access-date=20 July 2013 |archive-date=29 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729073732/http://news.walla.co.il/?w=/9/782336 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Until the second term of [[Yitzhak Rabin]] as Prime Minister (1992–1995), social benefits given to families in which at least one member (including a grandfather, uncle, or cousin) had served at some time in the armed forces were significantly higher than to "non-military" families, which was considered a means of blatant discrimination between Jews and Arabs. Rabin led the abolition of the measure, in the teeth of strong opposition from the Right. At present, the only official advantage of military service is the attaining of security clearance and serving in some types of government positions (in most cases, security-related), as well as some indirect benefits.

Rather than perform army service, Israeli Arab youths have the option to volunteer to [[Sherut Leumi|national service]] and receive benefits similar to those received by discharged soldiers. The volunteers are generally allocated to Arab populations, where they assist with social and community matters. {{As of|2010}}, 1,473 Arabs were volunteering for national service. According to sources in the national service administration, Arab leaders are counselling youths to refrain from performing services to the state. According to a National Service official, "For years the Arab leadership has demanded, justifiably, benefits for Arab youths similar to those received by discharged soldiers. Now, when this opportunity is available, it is precisely these leaders who reject the state's call to come and do the service, and receive these benefits."<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3974580,00.html Rise in Arab National Service volunteers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172222/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3974580,00.html |date=3 March 2016 }}, Aviel Magnezi. YNet, 25 October 2010.</ref>

Although Arabs are not obliged to serve in the IDF, any Arab can volunteer. In 2008, a Muslim Arab woman was serving as a medic with unit 669.<ref>{{Cite news|title=First female Arab soldier joins elite unit 669|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3527584,00.html|website=ynetnews.com|author=Yossi Yehoshua|date=4 April 2008|access-date=12 May 2017|archive-date=10 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010091257/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3527584,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Cpl. [[Elinor Joseph]] from [[Haifa]] became the first female Arab combat soldier for IDF.<ref>Cpl. Elinor Joseph, first female Arab combat soldier in IDF: "proud to serve" ", {{Citation needed|date=April 2011}} "I treated all the people at the checkpoints in the same manner because we are all human. For this reason, no one negatively reacted to me, and to tell the truth, that surprised me." Elinor's presence also helped change people’s perceptions, "People knew I was there and that I wouldn't hold my tongue if need be, so they had a constant reminder to treat the Palestinians well. But really, their treatment was always full of respect."</ref>

Other Arab-Muslim officers who have served in the IDF are [[Second Lieutenant]] Hisham Abu Varia<ref name="ynetFirsftOff">{{cite news|last=Pevzner|first=Yana|title=The lone Arab Soldier|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3968706,00.html|access-date=27 October 2010|newspaper=Ynet|date=13 October 2010|archive-date=31 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031011711/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3968706,00.html?|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Major (rank)|Major]] Ala Wahib, the highest ranking Muslim officer in the IDF in 2013.<ref>{{cite news |title=An officer and a Muslim Zionist |author=Michal Yaakov Yitzhaki |url=http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=5727 |newspaper=[[Israel HaYom]] |date=7 September 2013 |access-date=20 June 2013 |archive-date=7 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207153526/http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=5727 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In October 2012, the IDF promoted Mona Abdo to become the first female Christian Arab to the rank of combat commander. Abdo had voluntarily enlisted in the IDF, which her family had encouraged, and transferred from the [[Ordnance Corps (Israel)|Ordnance Corps]] to the [[Caracal Battalion]], a mixed-gender unit with both Jewish and Arab soldiers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/10/18/israel-promotes-first-female-christian-arab-to-combat-commander/ |title=Israel Promotes First Female Christian Arab to Combat Commander |publisher=The Algemeiner |date=18 October 2012 |access-date=21 October 2012 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022221124/http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/10/18/israel-promotes-first-female-christian-arab-to-combat-commander/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2014, an increase in Israeli Christian Arabs joining the army was reported.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.573172 |title=Israeli army sees increase in Christian Arab recruits |work=Haaretz |date=9 February 2014 |access-date=11 February 2014 |archive-date=11 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140211021329/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.573172 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Falasha makstyle.jpg|thumb|150px|An [[Beta Israel|Ethiopian-Jewish]] soldier]]
Muslim Arabs have also been drafted into the Israel Defense Forces in increasing numbers in recent years. In 2020, 606 Muslim Arabs were drafted, compared to 489 in 2019 and 436 in 2018. More than half of those who have drafted have gone into combat roles.<ref name="jpost1">{{cite web |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/exclusive-idf-sees-sharp-increase-in-muslim-draft-674227 |title=Exclusive: IDF sees sharp increase in Muslim draft |work=JPost |first=Tal |last=Lev |date=July 18, 2021 |access-date=July 18, 2021 |archive-date=18 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618154602/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/exclusive-idf-sees-sharp-increase-in-muslim-draft-674227 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="greenger1">{{cite web |url=https://www.jpost.com/blogs/think-with-me/with-yahya-mahamid-an-arab-zionist-is-no-misnomer-517608 |title=With Yahya Mahamid, an Arab-Zionist is No Misnomer |work=JPost |first=Nuri |last=Greenger |date=December 10, 2017 |access-date=December 10, 2017 |archive-date=20 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620123736/https://www.jpost.com/blogs/think-with-me/with-yahya-mahamid-an-arab-zionist-is-no-misnomer-517608 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="motchan1">{{cite web |url=https://stljewishlight.org/top-story/how-a-muslim-zionist-became-an-idf-officer-and-voice-of-peace/ |title=How a "Muslim Zionist" became an IDF officer and a voice of peace |work=Jewish Light |first=Bill |last=Mitchan |date=June 7, 2022 |access-date=June 20, 2022 |archive-date=8 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608235441/https://stljewishlight.org/top-story/how-a-muslim-zionist-became-an-idf-officer-and-voice-of-peace/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Ethiopian Jews===
The IDF carried out extended missions in [[Ethiopia]] and neighbouring states, whose purpose was to protect [[Ethiopian Jews]] (Beta Israel) and to help their immigration to Israel.<ref>''The Jewish State: The Struggle for Israel's Soul''. Yoram Hazony. 2001. Page 54</ref> The IDF adopted policies and special activities for the absorption and integration of Ethiopian immigrant soldiers, reported to have much improved the achievements and integration of those soldiers in the army, and Israeli society in general.<ref>The Beta Israel in Ethiopia and Israel: studies on Ethiopian Jews By Tudor Parfitt, Emanuela Trevisan Semi. p.170</ref><ref>Israel social science research, Volumes 10–11. Hubert H. Humphrey Center for Social Ecology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 1995. p.70</ref> Statistical research showed that the Ethiopian soldiers are esteemed as excellent soldiers and many aspire to be recruited to combat units.<ref>''Becoming Ethiopian Israelis: An Appraisal of the Adjustment of the Ethiopian Jewish Community to Israeli Society''. Ami Steinberger, Pepperdine University. 2006. p.24</ref>

===Haredim===
[[File:NetzahYehudafield.jpg|thumb|IDF soldiers of the religious [[Netzah Yehuda Battalion|97th "Netzah Yehuda" Infantry Battalion]]]]

Under a special arrangement called [[Torato Umanuto]], [[Haredi Judaism|Haredi]] men could choose to defer service while enrolled in ''[[Yeshiva|yeshivot]]'' and many avoided conscription altogether. This has given rise [[religious relations in Israel|to tensions]] between the Israeli religious and secular communities. In 2024, the [[Israel's Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] unanimously ruled that Haredi men were eligible for compulsory service and the army began drafting them.<ref name="APNews20240625"/><ref name="TOI20240718"/>

Haredi males have the option of serving in the [[Netzah Yehuda Battalion|97th "Netzah Yehuda" Infantry Battalion]]. This unit is a standard IDF infantry battalion focused on the [[Jenin]] region. To facilitate Haredi soldiers to serve, the Netzah Yehuda military bases follow the standards of [[Jewish dietary laws]]. The only women permitted on these bases were wives of soldiers and officers. Some Haredim serve in the IDF via the [[Hesder]] system, principally designed for the [[Religious Zionism|Religious Zionist]] sector. It is a 5-year program which includes 2 years of religious studies, 1½ years of military service and 1½ years of religious studies during which the soldiers can be recalled to active duty at any moment. Haredi soldiers may join other units of the IDF but rarely do. Although the IDF claims it will not discriminate against women, it is offering Haredim "[[Gender apartheid#Judaism|women free]] and secular free" recruitment centres. Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon expressed his willingness to relax regulations to meet the demands of ultra-Orthodox rabbis. Regulations regarding [[gender equality]] had already been relaxed so that Haredim could be assured that men would not receive physical exams from female medical staff.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4586197,00.html|title=IDF offers haredim 'women-free' recruitment centers|work=ynet|date=31 October 2014|access-date=8 March 2016|last1=Nachshoni|first1=Kobi|archive-date=7 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707025017/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4586197,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2024, the [[Hasmonean Brigade]], a Haredi infantry unit, was created to accommodate Haredi soldiers. In January 2025, the unit received its first 50 soldiers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fabian |first=Emanuel |title=First 50 ultra-Orthodox soldiers drafted to IDF's new Haredi brigade |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/first-50-ultra-orthodox-soldiers-drafted-to-idfs-new-haredi-brigade/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref> 

Since the beginning of the [[Gaza war|Israel-Hamas War]], 600 Haredim have enlisted through the [[Shlav Bet]] program, an IDF recruitment track intended for Haredim over the age of 26 to complete military service.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Greenwood |first=Hanan |date=2024-02-09 |title=IDF launches fast-track haredi basic training program |url=https://www.jns.org/idf-launches-fast-track-haredi-basic-training-program/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=JNS.org |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-28 |title=החרדים לא מתגייסים לצה"ל? אלו הנתונים המפתיעים שנחשפו |url=https://www.ice.co.il/local-news/news/article/1002590 |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Ice |language=he}}</ref>

===LGBT people===<!-- Linked to by Sexual orientation and military service#Israel-->
{{Further|Sexual orientation and gender identity in the Israeli military}}
{{Further|Sexual orientation and military service#Israel}}

Since the early 1990s, sexual identity has presented no formal barrier in terms of soldiers' military specialization or eligibility for promotion.<ref name="eichner" /><ref>Suzanne B. Goldberg, "Open Service and Our Allies: A Report on the Inclusion of Openly Gay and Lesbian Servicemembers in U.S. Allies' Armed Forces," ''William & Mary Journal of Women & Law'' (2011) v 17 pp 547–90 [http://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmjowl/vol17/iss3/3 online] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913214209/http://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmjowl/vol17/iss3/3/ |date=13 September 2014 }}</ref>

Until the 1980s, the IDF tended to discharge soldiers who were openly gay. In 1983, the IDF permitted homosexuals to serve but banned them from intelligence and top-secret positions. A decade later, professor Uzi Even,<ref name="barbara" /> an IDF reserves officer and chairman of [[Tel Aviv University]]'s Chemistry Department, revealed that his rank had been revoked and that he had been barred from researching sensitive topics in military intelligence, solely because of his sexual orientation. His testimony to the [[Knesset]] in 1993 raised a political storm, forcing the IDF to remove such restrictions against gays.<ref name="eichner">{{cite news|last=Eichner|first=Itamar|title=Follow Israel's example on gays in the military, US study says|publisher=Ynetnews|access-date=10 June 2010|date=8 February 2007|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3362505,00.html|archive-date=27 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727141804/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3362505,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The chief of staff's policy states that it is strictly forbidden to harm or hurt anyone's dignity or feeling based on their gender or sexual orientation in any way, including signs, slogans, pictures, poems, lectures, any means of guidance, propaganda, publishing, voicing, and utterance. Moreover, gays in the IDF have additional rights, such as the right to take a shower alone if they want to. According to a [[University of California, Santa Barbara]] study,<ref name="barbara">{{cite web|url=http://www.filmforum.org/films/yossi/israelstudyafs.pdf |title=Homosexuality and the Israel Defense Forces: Did Lifting the Gay Ban Undermine Military Performance? |access-date=1 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214044435/http://www.filmforum.org/films/yossi/israelstudyafs.pdf |archive-date=14 December 2010 }}</ref> a brigadier general stated that Israelis show a "great tolerance" for gay soldiers. Consul [[David Saranga]] at the Israeli Consulate in New York, who was interviewed by the ''St. Petersburg Times'', said, "It's a non-issue. You can be a very good officer, a creative one, a brave one, and be gay at the same time."<ref name="eichner" />

A study published by the [[Israel Gay Youth]] (IGY) Movement in January 2012 found that half of the homosexual soldiers who serve in the IDF suffer from violence and homophobia, although the head of the group said "I am happy to say that the intention among the top brass is to change that."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=273609 |title=Does viral IDF Gay Pride photo show full picture? |author=Yaakov Katz |newspaper=Jerusalem Post |date=12 June 2012 |access-date=6 April 2019 |archive-date=13 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120613175207/http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=273609 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Deaf and hard-of-hearing people===
Israel is the only country in the world that requires deaf and hard-of-hearing people to serve in the military.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=11734 |title=IDF enables diabetes victims, deaf to be drafted |work=Jerusalem Post |date=31 January 2006 |access-date=3 August 2014}}</ref> Sign language interpreters are provided during training, and many of them serve in non-combat capacities such as mapping and office work. The major language spoken by the deaf and hard-of-hearing in Israel is [[Israeli Sign Language]] (also called Shassi)–a language related to [[German Sign Language]] but not Hebrew or any other local language–though Israel and Palestine are home to numerous sign languages spoken by various populations like Bedouins' [[Al-Sayyid Bedouin Sign Language]].

===Vegans===
According to a [[Care2]] report, vegans in the IDF may refuse vaccination if they oppose animal testing.<ref name="C2-20121103">{{cite web|url=http://www.care2.com/news/member/296771588/3479034|title=Israel: Veganism promoted in defence forces|date=3 November 2012|publisher=[[Care2]]|access-date=11 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121219020026/http://www.care2.com/news/member/296771588/3479034|archive-date=19 December 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> They are given artificial leather boots and a black fleece beret.<ref name="toi-vegans">{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/army-to-begin-serving-vegan-food-in-mess-halls/|title=Army to begin serving vegan food in mess halls|author=Ginsburg, Mitch|work=[[The Times of Israel]]|date=December 28, 2014|access-date=August 21, 2018|archive-date=21 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821125518/https://www.timesofisrael.com/army-to-begin-serving-vegan-food-in-mess-halls/|url-status=live}}</ref> Until 2014, vegan soldiers in the IDF received special allowances to buy their own food, when this policy was replaced with vegan food being provided in all bases, as well as vegan combat rations being offered to vegan combat soldiers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenseworld.net/news/18929/Vegan_is_Kosher_For_Israeli_Defense_Forces|title=Vegan is Kosher For Israeli Defense Forces|date=6 April 2017|publisher=Defenseworld.net|access-date=22 September 2017|archive-date=22 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922194125/http://www.defenseworld.net/news/18929/Vegan_is_Kosher_For_Israeli_Defense_Forces|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Overseas volunteers===
{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2024}}
Non-immigrating foreign volunteers typically serve with the IDF in one of five ways:
* The [[Mahal (Israel)|Mahal]] program targets young non-Israeli Jews or Israeli citizens who grew up abroad (men younger than 24 and women younger than 21). The program consists typically of 18 months of IDF service, including a lengthy training for those in combat units or (for 18 months) one month of non-combat training and an additional two months of learning [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] after enlisting, if necessary. There are two additional subcategories of Mahal, both geared solely for religious men: Mahal [[Netzah Yehuda Battalion|Nahal Haredi]] (18 months), and Mahal [[Hesder]], which combines yeshiva study of 5 months with IDF service of 16 months, for a total of 21 months. Similar IDF programs exist for Israeli overseas residents. To be accepted as a Mahal Volunteer, one must be of Jewish descent (at least one Jewish grandparent).
* [[Sar-El]], an organization subordinate to the Israeli [[Logistics Corps]], provides a volunteer program for non-Israeli citizens who are 17 years or older (or 15 if accompanied by a parent). The program is also aimed at Israeli citizens, aged 30 years or older, living abroad who did not serve in the Israeli Army and who now wish to finalize their status with the military. The program usually consists of three weeks of volunteer service on different rear army bases, doing non-combative work.
* [[Garin Tzabar]] offers a program mainly for Israelis who emigrated with their parents to the United States at a young age. Although a basic knowledge of the Hebrew language is not mandatory, it is helpful. Of all the programs listed, only Garin Tzabar requires full-length service in the IDF. The program is set up in stages: first, the participants go through five seminars in their country of origin, then have an absorption period in Israel at a [[kibbutz]]. Each delegation is adopted by a kibbutz in Israel and has living quarters designated for it. The delegation shares responsibilities in the kibbutz when on military leave. Participants start the program three months before being enlisted in the army at the beginning of August.
* [[Marva]] is short-term basic training for two months.
* Lev LaChayal is a program based at [[Yeshivat Lev Hatorah]] which takes a holistic approach to preparation for service. Being as ready as possible to integrate into Israeli culture, handling the physical challenges of the military, and maintaining religious values require a multi-pronged approach. The beit midrash learning, classes, physical training, and even recreational activities are designed to allow for maximum readiness.