More than 3,700 immigrant lone soldiers now serve in the IDF, as Israel faces a growing responsibility to support the young people who leave their homes around the world to defend it.
By Hezy Laing
Thousands of young Jews have left their homes around the world to move to Israel and serve in the IDF, often without parents or close relatives nearby. As their numbers grow and their contribution to Israel’s war effort becomes increasingly significant, the military faces an important responsibility: ensuring that those who come to defend Israel have the support they need.
A growing international community
The numbers show how significant this population has become. In November 2025, the IDF Personnel Directorate reported that 3,614 immigrant lone soldiers were serving in the military, representing approximately 52% of all lone soldiers at the time.
That figure compares with 2,444 immigrant lone soldiers reported in 2018, suggesting an increase of approximately 48% over seven years. More recent figures released in October 2026 by the Friends of the IDF put the number of immigrant lone soldiers above 3,700, out of nearly 8,000 lone soldiers serving overall.
These soldiers come from across the world, although several countries account for particularly large groups. According to the November 2025 figures, 30% came from the United States, 18% from Russia, 12% from France, and 7% from Ukraine, with the remainder arriving from other countries.
They came from abroad to fight for Israel
Immigrant lone soldiers are not simply young people receiving assistance from the Israeli military. They have become an important part of Israel’s military effort, including in combat units. According to figures presented by the IDF Personnel Directorate to the Knesset in November 2025, approximately 30% chose combat roles.
Their contribution has come at a heavy price. The same report stated that approximately 100 immigrant lone soldiers had fallen during the war, while another 6,850 immigrant lone reservists had participated in the fighting.
Their service reflects a longstanding tradition of Jews from abroad coming to Israel to defend the country. For many, moving to Israel and joining the IDF is not simply a military decision, but a commitment to becoming part of the country they have chosen to call home.
Serving without a family safety net
Military service is demanding for any young soldier, but immigrant lone soldiers face additional challenges that extend well beyond their duties in uniform.
When other soldiers return home for the weekend, lone soldiers may need to arrange their own accommodation. They must also manage rent, food, transportation, medical appointments, and everyday expenses, often while learning Hebrew and navigating unfamiliar government procedures.
These difficulties are not merely theoretical. A State Comptroller follow-up audit published in 2023 found that only 40% of surveyed lone soldiers expressed high or very high satisfaction with the assistance they received from the IDF. Only 46% expressed that level of satisfaction with assistance from the Ministry of Defense after discharge.
The audit also found that housing assistance had not kept pace with rising rental costs. Between 2017 and 2022, IDF assistance for rent and housing maintenance increased by just 3.9%, compared with an 11% increase in average rental expenses.
Building a stronger support network
The IDF already provides lone soldiers with financial assistance, housing support, and other services, while organizations outside the military help immigrants prepare for enlistment and adjust to life in Israel.
One example is Garin Tzabar, a program that helps young people from abroad immigrate to Israel and enlist in the IDF. It provides participants with a community framework and accommodation arrangements, helping them establish themselves in Israel while completing their military service.
However, the availability of assistance does not always mean that soldiers can easily access it. Better coordination between the military, government ministries, and nonprofit organizations could make a meaningful difference, particularly for soldiers dealing with financial difficulties, language barriers, or personal emergencies.
That’s why the IDF, in coordination with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, recently established a dedicated Immigrant Soldier Branch to support the growing influx of lone soldiers volunteering from across the globe. This specialized unit marks a historic shift in how the military manages personnel who move to Israel without immediate family. By centralizing resources, streamlining bureaucratic processes, and expanding mental and physical health networks, the new branch ensures that these motivated recruits receive comprehensive, tailored support from their initial draft day until long after their civilian transition.
Life after the uniform
For immigrant lone soldiers, completing military service does not necessarily mean having a home, a job, or family support waiting for them.
Unlike many Israeli soldiers who return to their families after completing their service, immigrant lone soldiers must often build their civilian lives from scratch. Finding employment, securing an apartment, and pursuing higher education can be particularly challenging without the financial and family support available to many other young Israelis.
Programs that help with education, employment, and housing are therefore important parts of ensuring that these soldiers can establish permanent lives in Israel. The support they receive should not end simply because their military service has finished.
Supporting those who chose Israel
The thousands of immigrant lone soldiers serving in the IDF represent a remarkable commitment. Many left comfortable lives and familiar surroundings to come to Israel, learn a new language, and serve alongside Israelis whose country they have chosen to defend.
Their contribution during the war has made that commitment especially clear. These young men and women did not simply come to Israel to serve in its military. Many came because they wanted to become part of the country itself. Ensuring that they have a future here is an important responsibility that should continue long after they take off their uniforms.
