IDF says it’s giving draft dodgers a one-time opportunity to enlist without facing sanctions

The IDF says it will be giving draft dodgers — many of whom are members of the ultra-Orthodox community — a one-time opportunity to enlist in the military without facing punishment for desertion.

Some 14,600 Israelis — both men and women — are listed by the IDF Personnel Directorate as draft dodgers and deserters, including those who began the process of enlistment but never drafted and those who ignored draft orders for an extended period. All of them potentially face jail time for refusing to enlist, but enforcement has been limited.

For five days starting from tonight until August 21, those Israelis will be given a “final opportunity” to register to be enlisted without facing jail time, as part of an operation in the IDF dubbed “Starting Anew.”

The military says it will send notices to the draft evaders, allowing them to register via a link in an SMS message or by calling the army’s Meitav Unit, which is responsible for drafting soldiers.

Normally, draft evaders would have to serve jail time upon enlisting, as punishment for their desertion. The military says it has identified that many draft evaders have refused to show up over fears of having to face jail time and being given a criminal record.

Therefore, those who register until Thursday and show up for duty will be exempt from having to serve jail time. At the same time, the IDF says it plans to intensify enforcement against those who have not reported for military service.

If a draft dodger enlists as part of the agreement, their punishment for evading duty will be suspended and only activated if the soldier does not abide by the terms of their military service, such as deserting duty.

The IDF warns that it will not allow the program to be abused by deserters to get out of military service and avoid jail time.

Those who report for duty will be required to arrive at induction centers ready to leave immediately for basic training. There will be no delays, and they will be required to serve the full mandatory service time, which is 32 months for most male troops and 24 months for women, with some exceptions depending on the unit and their age.

The IDF does not know how many will show up for duty under this plan.

The army has stated that it is facing a manpower shortage and currently needs some 12,000 new soldiers — 7,000 of them combat soldiers.