# Are the Israeli Fighting Forces all Jewish? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 5, 2009, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927 "2009-01-05T09:26:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/1 "2009-01-05T09:26:01Z")
With all the main news being focused on the Israel fighting Hamas in Gaza, it got me thinking about the composition of the Israeli Fighting Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force etc). Since Israel has a conscription army, and there are members of other religions who live in Israel, are they also represented in the forces? Bucking down to the basic question; could there be Muslim Israeli soldiers fighting in the streets of Gaza? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/2 "2009-01-05T09:43:05Z")
There are certainly non-Jews serving in the IDF. Besides non-Jewish Russian immigrants (who came to Israel with Jewish relatives after the fall of the Soviet Union), the [Druze](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druze)are drafted like other Israelis, and many serve with distinction. As for Muslims (for Israel’s purposes, the Druze are considered neither Arab nor Muslim), Bedouin Arabs are not drafted, but may volunteer for service. Many of them serve as trackers, but there is also an Arabic-speaking Bedouin battalion, which has in the past served in and around Gaza. ---
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/3 "2009-01-05T09:50:18Z")
Thank you for the quick answer! ---
**Author:** ![Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petrobey_Mavromihalis)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/4 "2009-01-05T10:14:47Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > There are certainly non-Jews serving in the IDF. Besides non-Jewish Russian immigrants (who came to Israel with Jewish relatives after the fall of the Soviet Union), the [Druze](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druze)are drafted like other Israelis, and many serve with distinction. As for Muslims (for Israel’s purposes, the Druze are considered neither Arab nor Muslim), Bedouin Arabs are not drafted, but may volunteer for service. Two questions you might be able to clarify: 1. Isn’t there some argument amongst the Druze community as to whether they should be identified as Arab or not? 2. I believe I’m right in saying that Christian Arabs and non-Bedouin Muslim Arabs are allowed to volunteer for the army. Do any? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/5 "2009-01-05T10:23:28Z")
> [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](#): > > Two questions you might be able to clarify: > > 1. Isn’t there some argument amongst the Druze community as to whether they should be identified as Arab or not? I’ve heard something about that, but I’ve never encountered it myself. I think most Druze would rather Jews not think of them as Arabs, and most Jews are happy to oblige. Bear in mind that the Druze communit in Israel differs in this respect from their cousins in Lebanon and Syria. > [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](#): > > 1. I believe I’m right in saying that Christian Arabs and non-Bedouin Muslim Arabs are allowed to volunteer for the army. Do any? I’ve never heard of any. ---
**Author:** ![Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petrobey_Mavromihalis)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/6 "2009-01-05T10:36:10Z")
Thanks ---
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/7 "2009-01-05T15:50:02Z")
> [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](#): > > 1. I believe I’m right in saying that Christian Arabs and non-Bedouin Muslim Arabs are allowed to volunteer for the army. Do any? [Not many:](http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=520911&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y) > [@](#): > > The IDF does not furnish exact numbers, but it appears that the annual number of volunteers from both sectors together does not exceed 150. About half this number serves in infantry units, primarily the Desert Reconnaissance Unit. The article seems to be excluding the Bedouin when it refers to “Muslims”. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/8 "2009-01-05T16:36:17Z")
That’s interesting. Are Arab citizens of Israel then excused the compulsory periods of military service that most young Israelis are subject to? Or do they serve in non-military capacities, in the same way as conscientious objectors sometimes do? ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/9 "2009-01-05T16:45:00Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > That’s interesting. Are Arab citizens of Israel then excused the compulsory periods of military service that most young Israelis are subject to? Or do they serve in non-military capacities, in the same way as conscientious objectors sometimes do? They don’t serve at all, including non-military capacities. Druze apparently believe in reincarnation (? who know what they really believe) and one Druze guy told me that a friend of his got out of serving in the army by telling the draft that he believed he was the reincarnation of a Druze from Syria. Jewish Israelis who don’t wish to participate in the actual army for whatever reason (ie, they are very religious and the army is…not) can get alternate service. A friend of mine who was religious and an immigrant from France spent two years as a madricha (counselor/leader) for young teenagers from French-speaking countries, taking them around Israel and teaching them about Israeli society. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/10 "2009-01-05T17:22:33Z")
Circassians also have to do mandatory millitary service. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/11 "2009-01-05T19:49:56Z")
The IDF has a [Unit of the Minorities.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_of_the_Minorities) ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/12 "2009-01-05T19:51:48Z")
Until a generation ago, Arabs in Israel lived under martial law, so I really doubt that they would allowed or even want to serve. OTH, I wonder how service conditions and pay are in the regular IDF, we have had people from despised minorities serving in a countrys army before, Irish in the British Army comes to mind. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/13 "2009-01-05T21:02:16Z")
Do Israeli Jews who convert to Christianity, Islam, Atheism, etc still have to serve? If so does the military still consider them Jews or Christians/Muslims/Atheist/etc? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/14 "2009-01-05T21:15:45Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > The IDF has a [Unit of the Minorities.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_of_the_Minorities) It’s now called the Herev (Sword) Battallion, btw. Since 1982, though, Druze are allowed into the rest of the IDF. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/15 "2009-01-05T21:18:34Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > The IDF has a [Unit of the Minorities.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_of_the_Minorities) Actually, it hasn’t been known by that name for several decades; now it’s the Scimitar Battalion, a highly-decorated infantry unit that served with particular distinction in Lebanon in 2006. > [@AK84](#): > > Until a generation ago, Arabs in Israel lived under martial law, so I really doubt that they would allowed or even want to serve. Martial law ended in 1966. > [@alphaboi867](#): > > Do Israeli Jews who convert to Christianity, Islam, Atheism, etc still have to serve? If so does the military still consider them Jews or Christians/Muslims/Atheist/etc? I’d suppose that Jews who converted to Christianity or Islam would be discharged on psychological grounds. As for Atheism, the way we see it, you can be an Atheist and a Jew. Most Israelis don’t see any contradiction between the two. In fact, Israel was pretty much founded by Jewish Atheists. ---
**Author:** ![Vox\_Imperatoris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Vox\_Imperatoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vox_Imperatoris)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/16 "2009-01-05T21:40:22Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I’d suppose that Jews who converted to Christianity or Islam would be discharged on psychological grounds. Psychological grounds? Valete, Vox Imperatoris ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/17 "2009-01-05T22:38:37Z")
Translation: Treason. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/18 "2009-01-05T23:30:11Z")
Aren’t there some American ex-pats that serve in the IDF too? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/19 "2009-01-05T23:50:08Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Translation: Treason. Converting to Islam or Christianity isn’t treason under Israeli law. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927/20 "2009-01-05T23:59:43Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Translation: Treason. [Moderator Note] **AK84**. You’ve just been corrected three times in two posts. I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but it would be helpful to let the posters who have firsthand experience here answer the questions. **samclem** GQ moderator [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-israeli-fighting-forces-all-jewish/479927.md?page=2)