“The Values of My Faith Guide Me and Push Me to Never Give Up”

As the organization entrusted with Israel’s defense, the IDF represents all parts of Israeli society. The mix of cultures, religions, and languages creates a unique mosaic.

This reflection dictates the IDF’s philosophy and structure. Many units boast a diverse composition, and some units’ purpose is to help ease certain populations into service, such as the Bedouin Reconnaissance Unit.

An example of this diverse composition is the long-standing tradition of the swearing-in ceremony. At the end of basic training, each soldier pledges allegiance to the army and vows to protect Israel and its civilians. Each one chooses which item of significance they wish to swear on.

At the swearing-in ceremony of the most recent recruits of the Paratroopers Brigade, three soldiers of three different origins and beliefs swore in shoulder to shoulder.

Private N., from Ukraine:

“There’s a lot of respect for service in my Christian community. Here in Israel, people are generous, and my friends even invite me to the synagogue.

I chose to enlist because I met incredible local people, like my host family and other students at my boarding school. These people with hearts of gold helped me for six years and always gave me the warmth and love that I needed. I wish to protect them.

I feel like everyone else, swearing on the New Testament. Though I believe defending this nation is not a matter of religion, it did help me during basic training, when I read chapters my grandmother sent me. It calmed me down. I felt that I wasn’t alone and that there are things greater than myself.”

Private H., from Israel:

“Among the Druze community, there is a strong desire and motivation to enlist. I chose to do it because, like every Israeli citizen, I need to give myself to the country and contribute.

As a Druze man, I believe that you need to fight for the land you live in. It is incredibly moving for me to swear in today, it’s unbelievable. The values of my faith guide me and push me to never give up.”

Private Y., from the U.S.:

“There are many Jews and Israelis in my community, so there is a lot of respect for enlistment there; it’s very important to the community.

I was in college when the war started. I took on more courses so I could finish faster and come to Israel, it felt like my duty to come here and serve. I have been thinking about the swearing-in ceremony every day for the last two and a half years. It’s special to me - more important than my college degree. It’s a privilege.

During basic training, I believed that God had brought me here, and that everything that’s supposed to happen will happen. I’m here for a reason, and that’s what keeps me going.”

Together, Pvt. N., Pvt. H., and Pvt. Y. paint part of a larger picture of diversity and inclusion in the IDF, through their separate beliefs but equal devotion to the defense of Israel.