If you are not from Israel, take a moment to think about the combat soldiers in your own country. Do you know any soldier who has been on the battlefield in or outside your country? Are they part of your family or close social circle? What is the ethnicity and level of education typically associated with combat soldiers in your country?
Israeli society is inherently a society of soldiers, and this fact extends far beyond the mere requirement of mandatory military service. It is not just a legal obligation; it is a deeply ingrained aspect of Israeli culture and mentality; it is an existential matter.
The combat soldiers in the IDF are not considered expendable by society or those who did not have better opportunities in life; they are valued members just like any other citizen. Soldiers in Israel come from diverse backgrounds, no matter their socioeconomic status, some of them are young men building their lives through their studies, their young families with babies, or are beginning their working lives. They are professionals like engineers, businessmen and women, scientists, teachers, artists, economists, doctors, and men and women from all walks of life.
In this difficult time of war, it becomes evident that the IDF is more than a melting pot, it stands as a true reflection of Israeli society, its determination, and commitment. The list of fallen and wounded soldiers in the Swords of Iron War is strong evidence of this reality. Families of important members of the government and the IDF have lost loved ones. Gadi Eisenkot, an Israeli general and member of the Israeli parliament, lost his twenty-five-year-old son Gal Eisenkot in a battle in the Gaza Strip.
Do celebrities in your country go to the battlefield in times of war?
Even though celebrities in Israel enjoy fame and privileges like in most of the world, some of them are also reservists who enlisted to defend their country. Among them is the Fauda Netflix star and singer, Idan Amedi, who was seriously injured during fighting in the Gaza Strip as a member of the Combat Engineering Corps on January 8. He is successfully recovering from his multiple fractures and injuries.
Volunteer combat soldiers in the IDF
Volunteerism is a remarkable feature of Israeli society; the Swords of Iron War has provided numerous volunteer opportunities. The sense of duty, patriotism, and the desire to protect the homeland are strong motivations for reservists, including those exempt from enlistment for various reasons but volunteered for many tasks including the risky ones on the battlefield or in the borders with Gaza and Lebanon.
Reservist Command Sergeant Major Azaria Yehezkel, aged 53, was exempt from military enlistment due to the fact he was older than 45 but volunteered since the beginning of the war on October 7. He was part of a military operation in a small city near the northern border with Lebanon when an explosive, sent by Hezbollah through a drone attack, killed him and injured two other soldiers.
The values that drive combat soldiers in the IDF are deeply ingrained in the Israeli ethos. The profound sense of patriotism and responsibility to protect their fellow citizens is a fundamental part of most Israelis no matter their social status, educational level, or political stance.