:Nadene Goldfoot
Here's a good example of Israel's youth and how they are expected to spend their time. Teens begin IDF training in high school: 'No one else will do it in our place.' With demand for combat soldiers rising amid war, high schoolers are already training for their military service, describing the intense workouts, their drive to contribute and motivation sparked by October 7th.Israeli teens undergo a rigorous preparation process for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). During high school, they participate in physical fitness boot camps and leadership programs, while many choose to postpone their enlistment after graduation to attend pre-military academies or perform a year of community service. During high school, Pre-Military Fitness Programs: Teens often join civilian or NGO-led fitness groups (e.g., Mechinot or local fitness clubs) that train several times a week. These simulate military tryouts to prepare students for the physical and mental rigors of elite commando, naval, or pilots' courses.Pre-Draft Screening (Tzav Rishon): Around age 17 (11th grade), teens receive their first draft notice. They undergo medical, psychological, and aptitude testing to determine their Profile (medical fitness) and Kaba (quality score).
- Pre-Military Academies (Mechinot): Highly competitive, 1-to-2-year residential programs. Students focus on Zionism, Jewish history, physical training, and community volunteering.
- Service Year (Shnat Sherut): Students defer their army service for one year to volunteer in underprivileged neighborhoods, youth movements, or agricultural communities and boarding schools.
- Hesder Yeshivas: Religious male students combine intense Torah study with military service. They typically serve a shortened active-duty period while dedicating a significant portion of their time to religious studies.
- Academic Reserves (Atuda): Teens accepted to university delay their enlistment to earn a bachelor's degree in highly technical or medical fields (such as engineering, computer science, or nursing). After graduating, they serve in the military utilizing their specialized degreesWe have a saying: Am Yisael Chi! this means: The people of Israel Live ! Israel's population now is: approximately 10.2 million people. It is roughly comparable in size to the U.S. state of New Jersey or the country of El Salvador.The demographic breakdown of the population includes:
- Jewish population: Approximately 75% to 76%.
- Arab population: Approximately 21% to 22%.
- Other minorities: Roughly 2% to 3% comprising non-Arab Christians, other religions, or those with no classified religion.
Who stands with Israel? The United States is Israel's primary defender at the United Nations, consistently using its veto power on the Security Council to block resolutions opposed by Jerusalem. While a large majority of the UN General Assembly frequently votes in favor of Palestinian statehood and condemns Israeli occupation policies, a small bloc of nations regularly joins the U.S. and Israel in voting "no."
- United States
- Argentina
- Hungary
- Czech Republic
- Micronesia
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay