LAW ON THE WORLDWIDE VOLUNTARY ENLISTMENT OF JEWISH YOUTH FROM THE DIASPORA INTO THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES

Article 1. Purpose

The purpose of this Law is to enhance the level of readiness of world Jewry for self-defense and to ensure worldwide recognition of the importance of the State of Israel to the existence of Jews throughout the world, by means of voluntary service of Diaspora Jewish youth in the Israel Defense Forces. In the current environment of rising global antisemitism, only professional military training can prepare Jews living in the lands of the Diaspora to defend themselves, their families, and their communities.

Article 2. Method of Implementation

The Government and the Knesset of Israel hereby call upon Jews of the Diaspora between the ages of 18 and 23 to voluntarily enlist in the IDF for contract service of two (2) or three (3) years.

Article 3. Means of Implementation

Beginning from the year of this Law’s enactment, the Knesset shall annually allocate funds in the state budget for the ongoing implementation of this Law. These funds shall be used to establish, at Israeli embassies in all countries where Jews reside, a position of IDF representative responsible for: disseminating information about contract service for young Jewish men and women in the Israel Defense Forces; verifying their health and documents confirming their Jewish identity; providing them with airline tickets and insurance; and arranging their travel to Israel.

Article 4. Terms of Service

Jews of the Diaspora who enlist for contract service in the IDF shall be provided with full military accommodation. During the first two months following enlistment in the Israel Defense Forces, recruits shall be engaged in physical training, military disciplines, and intensive Hebrew language study. Upon taking the oath of allegiance, they shall be granted Israeli citizenship and assigned to various branches of the armed forces in accordance with assessments of their physical and intellectual aptitude. Particularly qualified individuals may, upon request, be assigned to elite combat units. Ultra-Orthodox recruits may serve in “Haredim” battalions with full observance of Halacha. In the event of marriage in Israel during service, the newlyweds shall receive a wedding grant.

Article 5. Opportunities Upon Completion of Service

Upon completing their service, foreign volunteers shall be offered the following options:

1. To return home at Israel’s expense, having received military training in self-defense and the defense of their loved ones;

2. To extend their contract to serve in a non-commissioned officer capacity;

3. To enroll in officer training courses and continue service as commissioned officers;

4. To be discharged into the reserve with preferential rights for admission to any institution of higher education in Israel, residence in student dormitories, and receipt of a student stipend.

Article 6. Enforcement of the Law

This Law shall enter into force on the date of its adoption by the Knesset. In accordance therewith:

5. Within 30 days of the entry into force of this Law, the Minister of Defense shall present to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense a comprehensive Program for the enlistment, accommodation, and service of young Jews who have voluntarily arrived from abroad.

6. Following approval of the aforementioned Program by the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense, the Minister of Finance, jointly with the Minister of Defense, shall within 30 days submit to the Knesset Finance Committee an annual budget estimate for the implementation of the Program.

7. Following approval of the aforementioned budget estimate by the Knesset Finance Committee, the Minister of Finance shall within 30 days submit to the Finance Committee a report on the financing of the Program.

8. Supervision of compliance with this Law is entrusted personally to the State Comptroller.

SIGNATURES:

Prime Minister: ________________________________

Minister of Finance: ________________________________

Minister of Defense: ________________________________

President of Israel: ________________________________

Speaker of the Knesset: ________________________________

Drafted and submitted for discussion by Edward Topol

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Edward Topol is the author of international bestsellers Red Square, Red Snow, Submarine U-137, and others. +972-54-603-1184