Undocumented youth battle for IDF inclusion 

A letter sent Wednesday to Defense Minister Israel Katz, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, and Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chair MK Yuli Edelstein has proposed a solution to regularize the status of undocumented youths in Israel, allowing them to enlist in the IDF amid a critical manpower shortage.

Attorneys Tomer Warsha, chair of the Israel Bar Association’s Immigration Committee, and Asaf Weitzen described the initiative as “a national and security necessity of the highest order.” The letter highlights the IDF's current challenges since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, with mass reservist enlistment and an extended reserve duty exemption age.

Defense officials predict that prolonged conflict will require expanding the regular army. Approximately 5,000 undocumented youths, aged 15 to 24, currently reside in Israel and could potentially enlist if their status is resolved.

Many of these youths were born and raised in Israel, educated in its schools, and feel a deep connection to the country, but their lack of permanent status has kept them from contributing to national defense.

* Ynet contributed to this article.