Pride of Israel: demand for combat units and volunteer service reaches historic high

Since the start of the war, demand among Israeli youth for pre-army preparatory programs (mechinot) has risen by about 50%, while demand for combat service and volunteering has reached an all-time high. 32 new mechinot have been opened, bringing the total to 69 with 122 branches, where approximately 6,700 young men and women are studying. Competition for places is intense, and the IDF faces a challenge: tens of thousands of requests for deferment amid an acute need for soldiers.

Since the start of the war, demand among Israeli youth for participation in pre-army preparatory programs (mechinot) has risen by about 50%, and demand for combat service and a year of volunteer service has reached an all-time high. During this time, 32 new mechinot and branches have been opened, about a third of which are located in border areas — near the Gaza Strip, on the northern border, and in the Jordan Valley. Today, there are 69 mechinot with 122 branches in Israel, where about 6,700 young men and women are studying. In addition, about 3,700 young people are undergoing a year of volunteer service, about 2,400 are in half-year programs, and about 2,600 are studying in hesder yeshivas. Competition for places in the most sought-after mechinot is extremely high: in some, the number of candidates is several times the number of places. This creates a problem for the IDF: tens of thousands of requests for deferment are received, but after nearly three years of war, the army needs soldiers. The accelerated "Haznek" programs are especially popular: in the first year, 450 teenagers participated, and this year, already more than 1,200. 96.5% of graduates of accelerated mechinot entered meaningful service, and 47% entered combat positions. The author presents this as a story about a generation that, despite political conflicts and public disputes, chooses responsibility and contribution to the defense of the country.