Medical students overseas called up to IDF to have eased admission to Israeli schools

Israeli medical students who were studying overseas but returned for reserve IDF duty due to the Israel-Hamas war will have eased admissions and financial assistance if they wish to continue their studies in Israeli institutions.

The plan, announced today by the Forum of Deans of Medical Faculties in Israel, is intended to “alleviate the impact on students conscripted to reserve duty, acknowledging their vital contribution to the nation’s defense.” The forum says it worked to “craft a comprehensive plan and establish transparent criteria for the admission of these students into Israeli medical faculties for the upcoming academic year, 2023–2024,” according to a press release.

Most of these students left their studies after their semesters abroad had already begun, and given the open-ended nature of the reserve call-up, their current IDF service therefore puts their academic careers in jeopardy. Israeli medical students who had been accepted to a school abroad, but did not begin their studies due to the war, will also be included in the initiative.

Prospective students in the program will be required to go through a formal application and acceptance process, the forum said. Universities are set to begin the academic year on December 24, delayed from mid-October, contingent on a release of enough reservists.

About 30% of all Israeli university students are currently in reserve duty, along with thousands of teachers and staff.