Israel plans to recruit Jews from abroad and offer amnesty to deserters to address a major military manpower shortage.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is considering recruiting Jews from abroad to fill thousands of vacant posts in its ranks, according to The Jerusalem Post. The military faces a shortfall of 10,000 to 12,000 troops, largely due to low enlistment from Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community. Army Radio reported that the IDF hopes to enlist 600 to 700 recruits from Jewish communities in the U.S. and France as an initial step. Officials have also launched a temporary amnesty program allowing draft dodgers to fulfill their service obligations without penalties. The Post said about 14,600 deserters remain at large. Separately, the IDF announced Wednesday that 60,000 reservists would be called up ahead of a planned military operation in Gaza. The overseas recruitment initiative marks an unusual step in addressing manpower shortages within Israel’s armed forces.
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