Editing Israel Defense Forces (section)

====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>