Publications
Memorandum No. 159, Tel Aviv: Institute for National Security Studies, September 2016
The first article in INSS memorandum no. 159, “Military Service in Israel: Challenges and Ramifications,” by former head of the IDF Planning Directorate Giora Eiland. The article analyzes the sources and implications of the fundamental concept of IDF force structure from the perspective of a systemic planner. In this article, Eiland argues that the IDF’s approach – based on universal service, reserve duty, and an optimal ratio between regular service and reserve service – is the correct model, and that any alternative model would involve higher costs. In his view, the existing model is based not only on a fundamental moral approach but also on an analysis of the operational effectiveness that can be achieved with a given budget. In a supplementary argument to this fundamental assessment, Eiland maintains that the benefit of ultra-Orthodox conscription can be expected to be relatively low and that imposing civil service on all those who are not conscripted into the IDF would not be an effective approach.
The opinions expressed in INSS publications are the authors’ alone.
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