Israel: Information on whether Israeli Arab citizens are issued military exemption cards
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 October 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ISR21820.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Israel: Information on whether Israeli Arab citizens are issued military exemption cards, 1 October 1995, ISR21820.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aada37.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A book entitled The Israeli Army quotes The Defence Service Law and Its Implementation on the issue of exemption:
Muslim and Christian Arabs are exempted from military service, though they may apply to join as volunteers; members of the Druze sect have been subject to complusory military service ever since 1955, at the request of the then community leaders (Luttwark and Horowitz 1975, 424).
According to a representative of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), "Israeli Arabs" come primarily from three main groups: Palestinians living in Israel (excluding the Occupied Territories), the Druzes and the Bedouins (10 Oct. 1995). The Minister of Defence can exempt individuals or groups from performing military service in Israel (ibid.). Historically, Israeli Arabs are not drafted or called-up for military service in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and, therefore, they do not require military exemption cards (ibid.). However, Druzes do perform their military service in the IDF (ibid.).
According to a representative of the International Movement of Conscientious War Resisters (IMCWR) in Tel Aviv, all Israeli Arabs are exempted from military service in Israel and therefore do not usually receive military exemption cards (10 Oct. 1995). However, the Ministry of Defence considers the Druze community as a "separate group or community" and allows them to perform military service in the IDF (ibid.). Through its leaders, the Druze community has chosen voluntarily to perform military service in the Israeli army, and Druze individuals who are granted exemption may receive a military exemption card (ibid.). As well, the Ministry of Defence has concluded informal agreements with IDF officers request volunteers on site, with specific Bedouin tribes of the Negev desert, under which some individuals perform military service in the IDF (ibid.).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), Jerusalem. 10 October 1995. Telephone interview with representative.
International Movement of Conscientious War Resisters (IMCWR), Tel Aviv. 10 October 1995. Telephone interview with representative.
Luttwak, Edward, and Horowitz, Dan. 1975. The Israeli Army. New York: Harper & Row Publishers.
Attachment
Luttwak, Edward, and Horowitz, Dan. 1975. The Israeli Army. New York: Harper & Row Publishers.