While military service for Israeli Citizens is mandatory the Israeli Defense Forces are made up of troops from all over the world. Some of these volunteers for the army choose to make Aaliyah to serve as a citizen however there is a group of people who participate in a program called MACHAL. MACHAL stands for “mitnadvei m’chutz la eretz” or in english volunteers from abroad.These soldiers come from abroad to Israel to serve in the army for anywhere up to 14.5 to 18 months without becoming a citizen of the state.
The idea of MACHAL originated in Israel’s war of independence in 1948-1949. While Israel was fighting for its survival they enlisted the help of many world war two veterans who ultimately made up the Machal population and helped win the war of independence. MACHAL soldiers serve in all branches of the army including- Military,Air Force, and the Navy.
Today, Jews from the diaspora continue to draft into the IDF from age 18-23 in waves of around 150-200 soldiers a year to volunteer to protect their homeland. MACHAL was a core part of the war of independence and continues to be an important part of the IDF today.
