The coronavirus pandemic has led to a dramatic increase in the number of draft evaders in the IDF, Israel Hayom has learned.
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According to data obtained by Israel Hayom, between 2,400-2,500 youngsters evaded military service in 2020, and about 3,100 in 2021. In the early months of 2022, dozens are said to have failed to appear at the conscription office.
The IDF Manpower Directorate estimates that youngsters evaded conscription as a way to "rebel" against the establishment after being severely affected by the pandemic when they were forced to stay at home and study online for months at a time.
In addition, the IDF reduced non-essential events, such as soldiers meeting with the civilian population, for fear of exposure to the virus. It also decreased efforts to minimize draft dodging and track down evaders.
The military also said that it limited the criteria for receiving a draft exemption due to mental health distress after a significant amount of youngsters received such an exception.
The IDF is concerned with the increase in the number of draft dodgers, not because the numbers are significant – especially compared to the overall recruitment potential – but because of the trend to which it points. Unless the military takes measures to deal with the phenomenon, the number of draft dodgers is only expected to increase.
To this end, the Manpower Directorate established a special office to deal with the growing number of draft evaders, which includes a unit that visits youngsters in their homes before they receive their conscription letters in the mail, to persuade them and their parents to arrive at the draft office. The work of the office has decreased draft dodging by 8%, with the IDF expected to increase its operations. The conscription offices have also been instructed to take similar measures.
Recruitment encouragement efforts are also meant to increase motivation to join combat units in particular, which in recent years have become less and less sought-after.
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said in a statement that the military acts with "a firm hand" against those who break the law and evade military service, and pointed to the efforts of the Manpower Directorate as an effort to create a formal dialogue between various authorities and the IDF with the aim of boosting recruitment.
"In addition to these efforts, the military police is working hard with the aim of arresting those who evade military service, so that they will serve in the army or regulate their status as required," the statement said.
