“They don’t go door to door with summonses”: an Israeli spoke about the mobilization of reservists

Three days ago, a message appeared on social networks in a Netanya group: “I propose to create a team to protect the city. The vigilantes must fill out forms. Then take training courses. The police will give us weapons.”

The initiator of the movement, Evgeniy Feiginas, explained why this is necessary.

– When the military operation began, many police officers were called to the front. Now in Netanya we feel a shortage of police officers,” Evgeniy began. – I proposed creating a battalion of volunteers to hold the defense in our city in case of unforeseen situations. Posted a post on social networks. Men and women responded.

Every day I receive dozens of calls from people who want to join. Many with military experience, all people from 20 to 50 years old.

– It seems calm in your region.

– It’s calm for now. The missiles are not reaching us, but we are still worried because there is a Palestinian village 25 kilometers away from us. Although there is a security fence between us, break-ins are possible. Moreover, it happened before that Israeli Arabs attacked Israelis.

Despite the apparent calm in our city, the locals are worried. People are afraid to go out. We ran out for a quick walk with the dogs and went home.

– Will the vigilantes be given weapons?

– They will give it away. We will be given one-day courses, which will include shooting at a shooting range. Many of us can shoot; almost all of them served in the army. Every year we have military training, so the men are always in combat readiness.

Those who receive weapons will clear abandoned buildings where there may be illegal workers or Palestinians who have entered Israeli territory. At the end of the shift, weapons will be surrendered.

– You said that annual training camps are held in Israel. Doesn’t anyone avoid them?

– Men under 50 years of age are called up for training, plus or minus, it depends on the unit where the person served. The training camp lasts from two weeks to a month, depending on the situation in the country. Now the training will take a month.

Everyone usually goes to the training camp with pleasure. There, people meet those with whom they began serving at the age of 18. This is a fun event, a kind of break from the daily routine. There is no hazing. Moreover, at this time the person is paid the salary he received at his job. If you have 10 thousand shekels (300 thousand rubles) in your company, you will be paid this amount while you are at training camp. The unemployed are entitled to a living wage.

– Does the state or the employer pay?

– The state and the employer somehow resolve this issue.

– Why aren’t you at the front now?

– By the age of 40, I was released from service, they said: enough is enough, you are no longer needed. If the situation becomes more tense in the future, I may be called upon. But I’m officially released.

– After 40 years, men are not subject to mobilization?

– In this situation, up to 50 can be called up, depending on the military position.

– How is mobilization going in Israel?

– Each company has its own commander who is responsible for recruitment. If something happens, the reservists are called or an SMS is sent to them. Everyone immediately comes to the recruiting station.

– There are no paper summonses, and evaders are not caught at home?

“They don’t catch anyone, they don’t go door to door with summonses.”

– Is it possible to refuse the draft?

– Among my friends there are no people who have relapsed. People, even if they do not agree with the government, will go for their country in any case. We have a small state, there are enemies all around, there is no other way out. This is the mentality here.

– I read that there are still those who try to evade. For example, they leave for another country. Is there a punishment for this?

– If a person leaves, then upon returning he may be asked a question: why didn’t you go, because there was a call? He may have to pay some kind of monetary fine. But, of course, he will not be sent to prison; there have been no such precedents.

If at the time of conscription a person was already abroad and received a summons, he can rest easy. Then he will return, show the tickets, and they will tell him: everything is ok, normal. There can be no talk of any criminal prosecution. In Israel they are more tolerant of such things.

– Did the current reservists undergo a medical examination before being drafted?

– They take place every year. If someone is found to have problems, the person will be released from service. But in Israel, people with diseases are also eager to go to the front, at least as a driver.

– Volunteers buy bulletproof vests and helmets for soldiers. Wives and mothers of military personnel complained on social networks that they had to buy uniforms themselves for 2,000 shekels (60 thousand rubles). Are there problems in the Israeli army?

“Nobody was ready for such a war.” Therefore, there are still problems with uniforms, but they are being solved, everything is being issued. Anyone who wants to have a better helmet and body armor buys it for themselves.

– Is it true that you can’t buy bulletproof vests in stores anymore, have they run out?

– I heard about this too. But now everyone will be given everything. Even if it’s old.

– Reservists told journalists that someone was given helmets and armor that were left over from the 80s.

– There is such a thing. But little by little everything is being updated. The country is constantly in martial law.

– Do conscripts take part in hostilities?

– Of course, there are many units where conscripts are sent.

“Our repatriates are worried that they may also be drafted.

– Let them not worry. If a person has not served, he will not be drafted. There is a large supply of our own people here.

– What if the situation worsens and a general mobilization is announced?

– Gaza is not such a large territory. The number of Israelis who were called up is quite enough.

– Are women now subject to conscription?

“Only girls with officer rank were called up, and only if they were unmarried.” This is a very small amount. If a girl got married but did not give birth, according to the law they will not take her if she does not want to. They will not drag anyone by force. There are enough young girls in the army, there is no need to call up anyone else.

– Can fathers of many children get a deferment?

– They can, but no one wants to sit at home, everyone goes.

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