"Those who chose the State of Israel": the new initiative for immigrant soldiers

The Ministries of Defense, Aliyah and Integration, and Diaspora Affairs are establishing a joint support framework for immigrant soldiers and overseas volunteers, accompanying them from enlistment to citizenship. The move follows a government decision from May and is based on research that identified gaps in information, rights, housing, and employment. Ministers Ophir Sofer and Amichai Chikli emphasized the importance of providing proper support to lone soldiers.

The Ministries of Defense, Aliyah and Integration, and Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism are launching a joint inter-ministerial initiative to improve the support and assistance framework for immigrant soldiers and overseas volunteers serving in the IDF. The initiative, conducted in collaboration with the soldiers and their families, aims to identify needs and gaps and provide precise solutions. It follows a government decision from last May to establish a dedicated unit in the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration to bolster support, with an emphasis on lone soldiers. New research pointed to gaps in information, rights, housing, and employment among discharged soldiers. The event was attended by Minister of Aliyah and Integration Ophir Sofer, Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli, Chairman of the World Zionist Organization Yaakov Hagoel, and Chairman of the Jewish Agency Doron Almog. Sofer said there is a responsibility to provide a proper framework for young people who chose to enlist, and Chikli stressed the need to assist lone soldiers. The unit will work to strengthen the continuity of support, linguistic and cultural accessibility, realization of rights, crisis assistance, and support for families abroad.