Israel's military boarding schools to close

The success of pre-enlistment preparatory programs lead the Defense Minister to decide that it's time to close the long-standing boarding schools in Merkaz Shapira and Haifa, whose attendance has been dwindling as of late.

Yossi Yehoshua|Published: 12.08.15 , 23:25

The public protests by Israel's military boarding school students, as well as by their alumni, has ultimately failed: On Monday, Minister of Defense Moshe Ya'alon ordered their closure. The move was recommended by IDF Chief of General Staff (CoGS) Gadi Eizenkot, as part of the multi-year Gideon plan to re-arrange the defense budget.

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This step means that no students will be accepted for next year's class at the Hareali military boarding school in Haifa, nor at the Or Etzion religious military boarding school in the town of Merkaz Shapira. Those who are already attending the schools will be allowed to finish as usual.

IDF sources say that the reason for closing the boarding schools is not financial, but is due to the fact that they no longer fulfill their original purpose of motivating and training the IDF's future officers. Only 90 teenagers are on that path today.

Lieutenant General Eizenkot, discussing the multi-year Gideon plan. (Photo: IDF spokesperson)

A senior officer spoke to Yedioth Ahronoth, saying: "In the current reality, where there are dozens of pre-enlistment preparatory programs that successfully ready teenagers for enlistment and substantial service, there is no longer a need for this kind of institute (a military boarding school).

"The rate of graduates from the boarding schools who reach officer status is miniscule. These boarding schools have come to their historical end, and the people of Israel owe them a lot," the senior officer continued.

Minister Ya'alon said Monday: "The decision was made with a heavy heart. The contribution by the boarding schools throughout the years, in shaping and training students who enlisted in the IDF and manned the commanding ranks, including the most senior ranks, has been immense.

Defense Minister Ya'alon. "The decision was made with a heavy heart." (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

"These days, many soldiers are contending for a spot in the IDF officer training school," Ya'alon continued. "We have come to the conclusion that the continued maintenance of the boarding schools, with their tiny number of graduates each year, has become unnecessary, especially considering the budgetary needs. I also believe that there is no need for 14-15-year-old boys to wear uniforms and participate in a program that is military at its core. It's too early and too young an age."