IDF Chief Zamir calls on ‘everyone’ to enlist, ‘contribute their share equally’

Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir’s comments came amid ongoing discussions regarding how to prevent draft-dodging in Israel’s haredi (ultra-Orthodox) communities.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir called on “everyone to enlist and contribute their share equally” on Wednesday, referring to military service as a “civic duty and national imperative” that all must respond to.

“We cannot accept a situation in which not all parts of society bear the burden. Israel’s security requires the full partnership of all parts of the nation,” Zamir said.

This comes amid controversy over the government funding of haredi (ultra-Orthodox) draft dodgers’ pilgrimage to Uman, Ukraine, for Rosh Hashanah.

Zamir’s comments came during a field tour in the Gaza Strip, accompanied by IDF Southern Command Chief Maj.-Gen. Yaniv Asor, Operations Directorate Chief Maj.-Gen. Itzik Cohen, Gaza Division Commander Brig.-Gen. Barak Hiram, the commander of the Etzioni Reserve Brigade and the Gaza Division’s Southern Brigade, along with other commanders.

Zamir thanked the reservists in particular for giving an “inspirational sacrifice” during their reservist service.

Placing a burden on IDF reservists

“Conscripts, career soldiers, and tens of thousands of reservists are answering the call and sacrificing their personal lives, along with their families, for the security of the state. You embody the deepest expression of Israeli solidarity and of commitment to the future of the state,” he said.

He also noted that the IDF will do everything to reduce the burden on reservists, noting that they are “a precious national resource.”

“Our main effort is enhancing the operation in Gaza City. We are focused on this right now and are continuing operational moves on the ground,” he noted.

Zamir also reaffirmed the IDF’s goals of bringing back the 50 remaining hostages still held in the enclave, defeating Hamas, and preventing a repeat of the October 7 massacre.