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News :: Israel / Palestine |
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IDF Desertion Rate Climbs |
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by haaretz via gehrig
(No verified email address) |
18 Nov 2002
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"Most of the deserters, the IDF says, are reservists, with the most common explanation for their actions referring to the deterioration in the state of the economy." |
IDF worried by steep rise in desertion
Most are reservists and the common motive cited is the worsening economy
Monday, November 18, 2002
By Amos Harel
The Israel Defense Forces has expressed concern recently about the sharp rise in incidents of desertion in its ranks. Most of the deserters, the IDF says, are reservists, with the most common explanation for their actions referring to the deterioration in the state of the economy.
Figures as of last week put the number of deserters currently being handled by Military Police at 2,616, as opposed to 1,564 deserters recorded in the corresponding week of last year - an increase of 67.2 percent.
Military sources told Ha'aretz that deserters who had been apprehended and tried had blamed their actions on factors relating to the worsening economic situation in the country. Both conscripts and reservists spoke of economic difficulties faced by their families: Conscripts said they had deserted so they could work and help support their families, while reservists also spoke of fear of losing their jobs if they were forced to be absent for an extended period.
Some 20-30 percent of combat soldiers receive financial assistance for themselves and their families from the IDF. Over the years, most deserters have come from among the weaker sectors of society, and this trend has intensified as the crisis in the economy deepens.
The increased reserve-duty burden due to the conflict with the Palestinians was also noted as a reason for desertion. A tour of reserve duty in the territories now stands at 33 days a year and some reservists are finding it tough to cope with this burden.
It appears also that some soldiers choose to evade serving in the territories out of concern for their personal safety.
Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Moshe Ya'alon is expected soon to approve a program, known as Gahelet (Hebrew for ember), which was put together by the Personnel Division at the General Staff and is designed to tackle and combat the increase in desertion. The Personnel Division has recommended a combination of various disciplinary and educational measures, together with better handling of complaints relating to the soldiers' service conditions.
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