Bonus for Israeli youths abroad: Studies sans army service
IDF comes up with new program to woo Israeli youths living abroad. New initiative will allow them to study in Israel without being drafted. Three years later, BA in hand, they will choose between leaving country or staying, and enlisting. 'Even if they don't stay, it may bring them back in the future,' IDF explains.
"Our goal is to strengthen the connection of this public to Israel, so that they will eventually choose to stay in the country and also do their military service," say senior officials at the Human Resources Department, "it is a national undertaking."
The IDF is trying to bring Israeli youths living overseas back in touch with the country, and have them enlist in the army. The law says that youths born abroad to Israeli parents or who left Israel before the age of 16 are required to serve in the IDF but as long as they live in a foreign country the IDF doesn't forcibly draft them. They may also spend up to 120 days a year in Israel and still avoid being drafted. The IDF seeks to change that trend and convince children of Israelis living abroad or who have left the country to enlist in the IDF and, of course, stay in Israel after their service.
The IDF Human Resources Department has developed a innovative program aimed at tapping into this elusive resource, allowing the youths to come to Israel, study at the academic institution of their choosing for three years, until their BA is complete. Throughout this entire period they will not be obligated to serve in the army, but upon graduation those who decide to stay in Israel will serve.
Far reaching implications
A senior officer in the Human Resources Department spoke with Ynet and explained that bringing Israelis back was a national undertaking, with implications far more reaching than the simple question of military service – which is why the military has stepped up to the plate on this issue; hoping that by encouraging them to come to Israel, they may choose to stay, and by doing so also serve in the army.
Col. Amir Rogovsky who heads the draft administration in the army's Induction Center recently visited Jewish communities in France and the US, speaking to Israeli youths about the new program which drew a good deal of interest he says. The program has recently been approved by Defense Minister Amir Peretz.
Within the framework of the program, Israelis living abroad who come to Israel after their 20th birthday will study at the university for three years and if they choose to stay will only be required to serve in the army for two years. 18-20 year olds will be required to serve the full three years.
"Even if the program won't provide an increase in draftees, the fact that many people in this public spent time in Israel may contribute to their future return and we consider than an achievement, that is why we are championing this program," the senior Human Resources officer said.
