Background

What is the Israel-Palestine Conflict?

The ongoing Israel-Palestine Conflict officially began with the formation of the State of Israel in May of 1948. However, the conflict is much more deeply rooted than that. The basic idea is that Israelis believe they  are entitled to the land that is currently known as Israel, and Palestinians believe that they are entitled to the land they call Palestine. Plot twist: they are both laying claim to the very same land.

In May of 1948, the Jews in Israel declared independence, creating the state of Israel. Six neighboring Arab nations tried to aid Palestinian Arabs by invading Israel, but the Arabs lost that war, which ended in 1949. Importantly, two parts of old-Palestine did not become part of new-Israel: the Gaza Strip (which was later taken over by Egypt) and the West Bank (which was taken over by Jordan).

Since 1948, there has been conflict on and off between Israel and Palestine, and the neighboring Arab nations. The border areas, especially around the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, are hot beds for violence and warfare.

Currently, there is no end in sight to this ongoing conflict, but some people advocate for a two-state solution (where there are two separate states for two independent peoples: the Israelis and the Palestinians) and some advocate for a one-state solution (where one Israeli-Palestinian state is created).

There is, of course, a far more complex, fascinating, and important history to this conflict, which we encourage you to read about here or here.

What is the Israel Defense Force?

The Israel Defense Force is Israel’s military.  When Israel was fighting for independence in 1948, they created a unified military which they called Tzvah Hagannah L’Yisrael—abbreviated to Tzahal—Hebrew for “Israel Defense Forces.”

Israel uses a system of mandatory military service. When they turn 18, every Israeli must serve in the military. Men must serve for three years, and women for two. (x)

Service is compulsory for most Jewish Israelis, but there are some notable exceptions. Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jews are not required to enlist because they are often studying at religious academies called Yeshivot.  Also, Arab-Israelis are exempt from conscription “due to the consideration that their military service might put them into a situation where they would be forced to engage in combat with relatives from neighboring Arab armies.”(x)

Some Pros and Cons of Mandatory Military Service:

These are taken from this helpful site. Go there for more details!

Pros:

1. Promotes National Unity

2. Maintain Active Military Force

3. Ensures High Levels of Governmental Participation

4. Can Provide Useful Skills

5. Promote Equality Among Citizens

Cons:

1. Violates Free Will

2. Interferes with Other Forms of Education

3. Put Young People’s Lives at Risk

4. Compromises the Quality of Military Service

5. Not Everyone Is Fit for It