Integration of Israelis of Ethiopian Origin
in the IDF
Submitted to the Knesset Immigration, Absorption
and Diaspora Affairs Committee
Written by: Flora Koch Davidovich
APPROVED BY: HODAYA KAIN, TEAM LEADER December 1, 2011
The Knesset Research and
Information Center
The Knesset Research and Information Center
Kiryat Ben Gurion, Jerusalem 91950
Tel: 02 – 6408240/1
Fax: 02 – 6496103
www.knesset.gov.il/mmm
Abstract
This paper was written at the request of MK Danny Danon, Chairman of the Knesset
Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs Committee, ahead of a discussion on the
integration of Israelis of Ethiopian origin in the IDF. In its first part, the paper presents data
showing the extent of Ethiopian-Israeli integration in military service in the IDF, including data
on enlistment rates, KABA (Hebrew acronym for Quality Group, i.e. screening of potential of
new recruits) scores, percentage of new recruits in the different IDF branches, dropout rates,
percentage of those serving in the permanent army, and military incarceration rates among this
population sector. In its second part, the paper reviews several key programs operated by the
IDF, some in collaboration with other entities, for furthering the integration of Ethiopian Israelis
in military service. This part also provides concise information on the integration of Ethiopian
Israelis in IDF preparatory programs.
Principal Findings
For many immigrant youth, military or national service is a gauge by which they measure
their belonging to and integration in Israeli society. Many also regard military service as a
key arena for the exercise of their citizenship.
Any study of the integration of Ethiopian Israelis in the IDF must take into account a number
of factors, among them the low percentage of holders of matriculation certificates in this
sector compared to the general population, the complex socioeconomic and family
background, and the degree of readiness for military service. These factors could affect their
ability to pass the screening tests in the recruitment process and the way in which they cope
with various challenges during the service itself.
We note in this connection that the findings of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and the
Brookdale Institute from 2010 indicate that some 35% of Ethiopian Israelis born in Israel
and 43% of those born in Ethiopia, in the 16-17 age group, are worried about military
service (compared to 20%-30% of immigrant youth from other countries), and the
percentage of Ethiopian Israelis interested in attending army preparatory programs is
1.5 times greater than among immigrant youth from other countries. These findings
could indicate a need to expand the scope of the army preparatory programs for new
immigrants in general, and those of Ethiopian origin in particular, as well as a need to
broaden the information channels about service in the IDF.
Currently, around 5,600 soldiers of Ethiopian origin are serving in the IDF (4,000 males and
1,600 females), equivalent to 12% of the total number of immigrants serving in the IDF.
In general, the enlistment rate among Ethiopian Israelis born in Israel, both male and female,
is higher than among those born in Ethiopia and even among the general population.
The enlistment rate among male Ethiopian Israelis born in the years 1987-1990 is 86%,
higher than the enlistment rate among the same age group in the general population
(73.3% to 76.8%). The enlistment rate among Ethiopian Israelis born in Israel is
especially high – 91% of those born in 1990.
The average enlistment rate among female Ethiopian Israelis born in the years 1987-
1990 is 53%, slightly lower than the enlistment rate among females in the general
population (57%). We note that the enlistment rate among Israeli-born females in the
Ethiopian community is 1.5 times higher than among Ethiopian-born females and
stands at 79.2% of female births in 1990.
The KABA score is used by the IDF for the initial placement of soldiers in compulsory
service and ranges between 41 and 56. The KABA score, combined with other data, is a
threshold criterion for recruitment to elite units in the IDF and may influence the soldier's
selection for officer training or assignment to certain occupations in the army.
IDF data indicate significant gaps in the KABA score between Ethiopian Israelis and
other new recruits: approximately 52% of male Ethiopian Israelis and 59% of female
Ethiopian Israelis (born in 1990) received a KABA score below 47, and, as noted, this
parameter impacts on the assignment to army units and positions. The corresponding
figures for all new recruits born in the same year are 23.2% for males and 16.6% for
females.
About 1.5% of all male Ethiopian Israelis and 1.3% of female Ethiopian Israelis
received a KABA score of between 54 and 56, a significantly lower score than that of
new recruits in general – 25.8% for all males and 19% for all females.
During 2006-2009 more than 40% of all male Ethiopian Israelis were assigned to
combat units, while the number of those assigned to administrative positions rose (from
16.7% in 2006 to 25.4% in 2009). Concurrently, the percentage of Ethiopian Israelis
assigned to driving positions decreased in those years from 17.7% to 10.6%.
During 2007-2010 there was a drop in the rate of male soldiers of Ethiopian origin who
were discharged from the IDF before completing their full term of service, from 27.7%
to 20.4%. In 2010, this rate among soldiers of Ethiopian origin was 5% higher than for all
soldiers (15.4%). Most cases of early termination of service among Ethiopian Israelis were
due to "bad or grave conduct."
The percentage of female soldiers of Ethiopian origin who were discharged before
completing their full term of service in 2010 was 9.8%, a higher rate than for all female
soldiers (7.2%). The main reasons for their early discharge were "personal" and "mental."
The rate of those completing company-grade officer training (officer's course or
commander's course or combat training) among male soldiers of Ethiopian origin is
significantly lower than for the general population of male soldiers (8% versus 14%).
The rate of those completing officer training among female soldiers of Ethiopian origin
is 6%, nearly equivalent to the general rate for female soldiers (7%).
The percentage of soldiers of Ethiopian origin incarcerated in military prisons stands
today at 12% of the total number of imprisoned soldiers, significantly higher than the
percentage of Ethiopian Israelis in the general population (1.5%).
During 2007-2010 there was no meaningful change in the percentage of incarcerated
soldiers from the total number of male soldiers of Ethiopian origin, and it remained
more than double the percentage of incarcerated soldiers from among all IDF male
soldiers 52.9% versus 25.4% in 2010). In contrast, there was a significant drop in the
percentage of incarcerated female soldiers from among the total number of female
soldiers of Ethiopian origin, from 17.4% to 10.5%, but this rate (10.5%) nevertheless
remains three times the percentage of incarcerated soldiers from among all female
soldiers (3.3%).
The reasons for the incarceration of soldiers of Ethiopian origin were desertion (55%),
absence without leave (25%) and disciplinary offenses (15%).
In view of the high incarceration rate among soldiers of Ethiopian origin, the IDF operates
various programs in the incarceration facilities, to encourage incarcerated soldiers from the
population sector to return to normal service, including self-empowerment workshops;
private talks and lectures by officers from the Ethiopian community, who can serve as role
models and a source of encouragement for returning to normal service; seminars on the
subject of the integration of Ethiopian Israelis in the IDF, etc.
Some 564 Ethiopian Israelis are currently serving in the permanent army. Although the
percentage of Ethiopian Israelis serving in the permanent army out of the entire population
of Ethiopian Israelis in the IDF is significantly lower than the percentage of those serving in
the permanent army out of all those serving in the IDF, the rate of Ethiopian Israelis serving
in the permanent army out of all those serving in the permanent army is 1.4%, very close to
their percentage in the general population.
The IDF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and other entities,
operates programs designed to help youth of Ethiopian origin to integrate in military
service. Some of the preparatory programs take place prior to induction and others at the
start of military service.
Pre-military preparatory programs were established for the purpose of preparing youth who
have graduated from the educational system for full and meaningful service in the IDF. The
percentage of participants of Ethiopian origin in pre-military preparatory programs is
4%, higher than their percentage in the general population. Reports by the pre-military
preparatory programs regarding the integration of Ethiopian Israelis show that the latter
require greater assistance than is provided under the Pre-Military Preparatory Program Law,
5768-2008, and that these programs invest substantial resources in obtaining additional
funding for this purpose.
1. Background
Studies have shown that for many immigrant youth, military or national service is a gauge by
which they measure their belonging to and integration in Israeli society. Many also regard
military service as a key arena for the exercise of their citizenship. Military/national service also
allows them to gain familiarity with Israeli society and provides a framework for the acquisition
of vocational skills and experience that can be of aid to them in their occupational future1.
In the study "Immigrant Youth in Israel – the Current Situation," conducted by the Ministry of
Immigrant Absorption and the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute and published in 2010, youths
aged 16-17 who had immigrated from a range of countries were asked whether they intend and
want to serve in the IDF and about the extent of their preparedness for military service. The
study's findings reveal an especially high percentage of youth who want and intend to enlist in
the IDF or national service among Ethiopian Israelis born in Israel (86% and 95%
respectively) and slightly lower rates among Ethiopian Israelis born in Ethiopia (74% and 84%
respectively)2.
1 Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute – Engelberg Center for Children and
Youth, Immigrant Youth in Israel – the Current Situation, written by Paula Kahan-Strawczyinski,
Dganit Levy and Viacheslav Konstantinov, July 2010. 2 Ibid.
Currently, 5,600 Ethiopian Israelis are doing compulsory service in the IDF (4,000 men and
1,600 women), equivalent to 12% of all new immigrants serving in the IDF3. In spite of the
high percentage of IDF recruits from among Ethiopian Israelis (mainly among men), there are
still significant gaps between this population sector and the total population of recruits,
expressed, inter alia, in significantly lower KABA4 (Quality Group) scores among this group
compared to the total population of recruits, high dropout rates from military service, relatively
low rates of completion of officer training (officer's course or commander's course or combat
training) and high rates of incarceration during military service5.
Any study of the integration of Ethiopian Israelis in the IDF must take into account a number of
factors that affect their ability to pass the screening tests in the induction process and to cope
with various challenges during military service. These factors include the low percentage of
holders of matriculation certificates in this sector compared to the general population of school
pupils6, and the complex socioeconomic and family background from which they come. To this
one must add the aforementioned findings of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and the
Brookdale Institute7 which indicate a high percentage of Ethiopian Israelis who are afraid of
military service. Specifically, some 35% of Ethiopian Israelis born in Israel and 43% of
Ethiopian Israelis born in Ethiopia, in the 16-17 age group, are afraid of military service
(compared to 20%-30% of immigrant youth from other countries). Furthermore, the
percentage of Ethiopian youth interested in participating in army preparatory programs is
1.5 times higher than among immigrant youth from other countries8. These findings could
3 IDF – office of the Chief of Staff – office of the Head of the Manpower Directorate, Sgt. First Class
Sagi Ben Aharon, Assistant to the Director of the Office, letter, October 3, 2011. 4 The KABA test is used by the IDF for initial placement of soldiers in compulsory service, by matching
between the soldier's skills and the requirements of his position and the army's needs. The KABA score
ranges between 41 (lowest grade) and 56 (highest grade) and is calculated on the basis of various
combinations of several components which are measured during the induction process at the IDF
recruitment centers, including thinking capacity, determined by psychotechnical tests; education,
determined through verification of data, and suitability to the army framework. The KABA score,
together with the additional data, is a threshold criterion for undergoing screening for service in elite
units and officer training and for assignment to specific occupations in the army.
From the IDF website, http://www.aka.idf.il/Main/giyus/general.aspx?catId=58436%docId=74856,
entry: October 25, 2011. 5 IDF announcement from May 19, 2011, ibid, http://dover.idf.il/IDF/News_Channels/today/2011/05/
1903.htm, entry: October 25, 2011. 6 The percentage of eligibility for a matriculation certificate among Ethiopian Israeli students in 2010 was
42%, significantly lower than the rate for all Jewish pupils which was 65% in that year. Knesset
Research and Information Center, Integration of Persons of Ethiopian Origin in the Educational System
– Revised Document, June 26, 2011. 7 Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute – Engelberg Center for Children and
Youth, Immigrant Youth in Israel – the Current Situation, written by Paula Kahan-Strawczyinski,
Dganit Levy and Viacheslav Konstantinov, July 2010. 8 Seventy six percent of all Ethiopian Israelis born in Israel and 83% of all Ethiopian Israelis born in
Ethiopia compared to 44% of French speakers and 52% of English speakers. In this connection, it
indicate a need to strengthen information channels through which information on the
subject of military and national service is conveyed to immigrant youth in general and
Ethiopian youth in particular, and for opening additional preparatory frameworks for
military service9.
It is worth noting that the issue of the relatively low percentage of soldiers of Ethiopian origin in
positions which the IDF defines as quality positions was addressed in Government Resolution
No. 3116 from February 10, 2008 concerning a five-year plan to improve the absorption of
members of the Ethiopian community. The resolution stated that the Ministry of Immigrant
Absorption, in collaboration with the IDF, would operate various programs and courses designed
to prepare Ethiopian youth for army service and to promote their integration in quality positions
in the IDF10
.
2. Data on the Integration of Ethiopian Israelis in IDF Service
This chapter presents data on various subjects received from the IDF Manpower Directorate that
indicate the degree of integration of Ethiopian Israelis in the IDF. The subjects are: rate of
enlistment among Ethiopian Israelis; KABA scores of Ethiopian Israeli recruits; rate of
Ethiopian Israelis who are discharged before completing their term of service; rate of Ethiopian
Israelis serving in the permanent army; rate of Ethiopian Israelis incarcerated in military prisons,
and other data provided to us. The data are segmented by various parameters and compared to
data of the general population.
2.1. Rate of enlistment in the IDF
Recent years have seen stability in the rate of enlistment of Ethiopian Israelis in the IDF.
The table below shows the enlistment rate among Ethiopian Israelis from four years of birth
(1987-1990), segmented by gender and country of birth and compared to enlistment rates in the
general population.
should be noted that Israeli-born Ethiopians express less fear of conscription and less interest in
preparation for army service. 9 Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute – Engelberg Center for Children and
Youth, Immigrant Youth in Israel – the Current Situation, written by Paula Kahan-Strawczyinski,
Dganit Levy and Viacheslav Konstantinov, July 2010. 10 Prime Minister's Office, press release, on the website,
http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMO/Archive/Spokesman/
2008/02/spokeethi00208.htm.
.
Table 1: Enlistment Rates among Ethiopian Israelis and in the General Population11
Year
of
Birth
Ethiopian Israeli
Males
Enlistment
Rate
among
Ethiopian
Israelis
(Males)
Enlistment
Rate
among
Males in
the
General
Population
Ethiopian Israeli
Females
Enlistment
Rate
among
Ethiopian
Israelis
(Females)
Enlistment
Rate
among
Females in
the
General
Population
Born in
Ethiopia
Born
in
Israel
Born in
Ethiopia
Born
in
Israel
7891 8.38% 3.3.% 8.3.% 8.38% 2834% 8.3.% ..33% .838%
7899 8234% 3.38% 8.38% 8233% 2438% 88% 233.% .838%
7898 8238% 3234% 8.38% 843.% 2.3.% 823.% 283.% ..3.%
7881 823.% 3.3.% 8.% 823.% 2.34% 8334% .4% ..%
It is apparent from the table that, in general, the enlistment rate among both male and female
Ethiopian Israelis born in Israel is higher than among Ethiopian Israelis born in Ethiopia and in
the general population.
The enlistment rate among Ethiopian Israeli males born in the years 1987-1990 ranges
around 86%, consistently higher than among males in the general population. It should also
be emphasized that the rate of enlistment in the IDF among Ethiopian Israeli males born in
Israel is especially high (91.1% among those born in 1990). The enlistment rate among
Ethiopian Israeli females is consistently lower than among females in the general
population – 52% among those born in 1990 (compared to 56% for all females).
Nevertheless, it should be noted that the enlistment rate among Ethiopian Israeli females
born in Israel is 1.5 times higher than among Ethiopian Israeli females born in Ethiopia
and is also significantly higher than the enlistment rate among all females – 79.2% among
Ethiopian Israeli females born in 1990. The findings regarding the high enlistment rates among
Israeli-born Ethiopian Israelis is seemingly explained, among other reasons, by the length of their
residence in Israel.
2.2. KABA scores
The KABA (Hebrew acronym for Quality Group, i.e. screening of new recruits) score, which is
used by the IDF for the initial placement of soldiers in compulsory service, ranges between 41
(the lowest score) and 56 (the highest score). The score is calculated on the basis of a
combination of several components measured during the induction process at the induction
11 Adv. Ruth Bar, assistant to the Minister of Defense, Ministry of Defense, letter, October 24, 2011.
center, among them: intelligence, determined by psychotechnical tests, education and suitability
to the army framework as reflected in a personal interview. The KABA score, combined with
other data, is a threshold criterion for recruitment to elite units and influence the soldier's
selection for officer training or assignment to certain occupations in the army12
. It should be
noted that IDF data on the KABA scores among Ethiopian Israelis and among the population of
new recruits born in the years 1987-1990, as set out in the following tables, point to significant
gaps between the KABA scores of these two population sectors.
Table 2: Breakdown of Male Ethiopian Israelis by KABA Score and Comparison
with All New Recruits13
Year
of
Birth
Ethiopian Israelis (Males) All New Recruits (Males)
Below
47
47-50 51-53 54-56 Below
47
47-50 51-53 54-56
7891 ..38% .834% 332% .3.% 4433% 443.% 4338% 4.34%
7899 .433% ..3.% 33.% .32% 4.32% 4.3.% 4333% 4.3.%
7898 ..3.% .233% ..34% .3.% 4.38% 44% 433.% 4.3.%
7881 .434% .232% ..33% .3.% 4.34% 4434% 4838% 4.38%
From the data shown in Table 2 it is apparent that there are significant gaps in the distribution of
the KABA scores between Ethiopian Israelis and all new recruits: More than 50% of male
Ethiopian Israelis born in the years 1987-1990 received a KABA score below 47, compared
to just 23% among all new recruits. As noted, this fact impacts on the assignment to army
units and positions (up to the date of submission of this paper, no information had been received
from the IDF on positions to which those with a low KABA score are assigned). It likewise
emerges from the table that only 1.5% of Ethiopian Israelis born in the years in question
received extremely high KABA scores, between 54 and 56, compared to 25% among all new
recruits. It is further noted that in these years there was no real change in the breakdown of
KABA scores both among Ethiopian Israelis and among all new recruits.
12 From the IDF's official website for new recruits, "Olim Al Madim," http://www.aka.idf.il/Main/giyus/
general.aspx?catId=58436%docId=74856, entry: November 7, 2011. 13 Ibid.
Table 3: Breakdown of Female Ethiopian Israelis by KABA Score and Comparison
with All New Recruits14
Year
of
Birth
Ethiopian Israelis (Females) All New Recruits (Females)
Below
47
47-50 53-51 56-54 Below
47
47-50 53-51 56-54
7891 .83.% ..33% .3.% .33% ..34% ..3.% .23.% .33.%
7899 ..3.% ..3.% 8% .3.% ..33% ..3.% .23.% .332%
7898 ..3.% ..% .% .33% ..33% ..33% .438% .33.%
7881 .33.% ..3.% 83.% .3.% ..3.% ..38% ..38% .3%
From the data shown in Table 3 it is apparent that more than 57% of all female Ethiopian
Israelis born in the years 1987-1999 received a KABA score below 47, compared to just
16.6% of all new female recruits. The percentage of those with high KABA scores, between
54 and 56, among female Ethiopian Israelis born in the years in question ranges between
0.6% and 1.3%, which is significantly lower than the corresponding rate for all new female
recruits – 20%.
2.3. Service in IDF Branches
The table below presents data on the percentage of Ethiopian Israeli recruits assigned to the
different branches of the IDF. We note that our request to the IDF to receive more detailed data
on segmenting by positions and corps had not been answered by the date of submission of the
paper.
Table 4: Rates of Ethiopian Israeli Enlistment to the Different IDF Branches15
Males Females
Year
of
Enlist-
ment
Combat Out-
standing
Quality*
Technical Driving Adminis-
trative
and
Other
Combat Others* Technical Driving Adminis-
trative
and
Others
6112 2.3.% 83.% .23.% .838% ..38% 23.% .438% 238% 43.% 4.3.%
6111 .83.% 83.% ..34% .83.% 4.3.% .38% .83.% 238% .3.% 4.3.%
6119 2.34% 838% .433% .234% 4.33% 23.% .33.% .33% .3.% 4.33%
6118 2.38% 833% ..3.% ..3.% 4.32% 43.% .23.% 432% 434% 4838%
14 Ibid. 15 Ibid.
* Up to the date of submission of this paper, no clarification had been received as to which
positions are included in this category.
Regarding the placement of male Ethiopian Israelis, it emerges from the table that in the years
2006-2009 (excluding 2007), some 40% were assigned to combat positions and an additional
25% were assigned to administrative positions. In this connection, it should be noted that in the
years in question there was a significant increase in the rate of Ethiopian Israelis assigned to
"administrative and other" positions, from 16.7% to 25.4%, while the percentage of those
assigned to driving positions decreased, from 17.7% to 10.6%. The IDF reported that there
has been an increase in the percentage of Ethiopian Israelis enlisting in the system of courses, but
no specific data have been received in this regard.
Regarding the placement of female Ethiopian Israelis, it emerges from the table that in the years
2006-2009 there was a significant increase in the percentage of those assigned to
"administrative and other" positions, from 20.9% to 28.8%. The IDF reported that a high
percentage of female Ethiopian Israelis are placed in the system of courses.
On the subject of IDF policy on the integration of Ethiopian Israelis in command positions
in compulsory service, the IDF reported that "apart from special dedicated tracks (Atuda
academic program, officer-designated), the IDF is developing its command cadre from among
the rank and file, with emphasis on the combat branch. Owing to this structure, the decision to
integrate Ethiopian Israelis in command courses (platoon commanders, officers) depends first
and foremost on the commanders' recommendations and on the service characteristics of the
soldier himself. Recognizing the fact that the quality thresholds defined for the command and
officer positions could result in their exclusion, the IDF has decided that their data will not be
taken into account in the processes for identifying potential and they will not be designated as
unsuitable in this regard."16
In other words, the defined quality thresholds will not be considered
the exclusive condition in identifying candidates for command positions among Ethiopian
Israelis.
2.4. Early discharge from military service
The tables below contain data on Ethiopian Israelis who were discharged from the IDF before the
end of their term of service ("dropouts") during 2007-2010. The data are segmented by gender
and reason for discharge and compared to the corresponding rate in the general population.
16 Adv. Ruth Bar, assistant to the Minister of Defense, Ministry of Defense, letter, October 24, 2011.
Table 5: Dropout Rates from the IDF among Male Ethiopian Israeli Soldiers17
Year of
Discharge
Percentage of
Male Soldiers
Discharged at
the Designated
Time
Percentage of Dropouts by Reason Percentage
of Dropouts
among
Ethiopian
Israeli Males
Percentage
of Dropouts
among all
Male
Soldiers
Physical Mental Personal Unsuit-
ability
Bad or
Grave
Conduct
6111 843.% 43.% 23.% .% .43.% 23.% 4838% .83.%
6119 8832% 43.% .3.% 438% .33% .43.% 443.% .232%
6118 843.% 438% .% .% .33% ..34% .833% .23.%
6171 833.% 4% .38% .3.% .3.% ..3.% 4.32% ..32%
The data in the above table indicate that during 2007-2010 the percentage of male soldiers of
Ethiopian origin who were discharged from the IDF before completing their term of service
decreased from 27.7% to 20.4%, but their percentage in 2010 was still 5% higher than the
corresponding percentage for all soldiers. It should be noted that based on IDF data, the main
reason for early discharge of Ethiopian Israeli soldiers during 2008-2010 was "bad or grave
conduct," and that in recent years there has been a significant increase in the percentage of early
discharges from the IDF for this reason (from 4.3% in 2007 to 13.5% in 2010). Concurrently, the
percentage of those discharged because of "unsuitability" has fallen significantly, from
12.1% in 2007 to 0.6% in 2010.
Table 6: Dropout Rates from the IDF among Female Ethiopian Israeli Soldiers18
Year of
Discharge
Percentage of
Female
Soldiers
Discharged at
the Designated
Time
Percentage of Dropouts by Reason Percentage
of Dropouts
among
Ethiopian
Israeli
Females
Percentage
of Dropouts
among all
Female
Soldiers
Physical Mental Personal Unsuit-
ability
Bad or
Grave
Conduct
6111 3.% .% 43.% .33% .3.% .34% 3% 832%
6119 8838% .33% .34% 23.% .38% .3.% ..34% .38%
6118 3.% 43.% .3.% 43.% .32% .3.% 8% .38%
6171 3.34% .32% 43.% .32% .% .33% 338% 834%
It is apparent from the above table that there is no consistent trend of change in the dropout rate
from the IDF among Ethiopian Israeli females in the years 2007-2010; in 2010, their percentage
stood at 9.8%, higher than the dropout rate for all female soldiers (7.2%). It further emerges
from the table that the dropout rate among female soldiers of Ethiopian origin is two times
17 Ibid. 18 Ibid.
lower than among their male counterparts, and that the main reasons for early discharge
are, according to the IDF data, "personal" and "mental."
2.5. Completion of command and officer training
The table below contains data on the rate of completion19
of company-grade officer training
among soldiers of Ethiopian origin compared to all IDF soldiers. Based on IDF data, the rate of
completion of company-grade officer training among soldiers of Ethiopian origin is
significantly lower than for the general population of soldiers (8% versus 14%).
Table 7: Rate of Completion of Officer Training among Ethiopian Israeli Soldiers and
Compared to the General Population20
Gender Completion of Officer
Training Among Ethiopian
Israeli Soldiers
Completion of Officer
Training Among All IDF
Soldiers
Completion Rate
Males 4% 8%
Females .% 8%
It is apparent from the above table that the rate of completion of officer training among male
soldiers of Ethiopian origin is significantly lower than among the general population (2%
versus 7%). However, the rate of completion of officer training among female soldiers of
Ethiopian origin is three times that of their male counterparts (6%) and close to the
completion rate among the general population of female soldiers (7%). It is noted that the
majority of Ethiopian Israelis going for officer training are Ethiopian born (85% among males
and 81% among females).
We note that despite our request to receive data on the number of officers of Ethiopian origin
serving in the IDF, this information had not been received by the date of submission of the paper.
19 As noted, this refers to the completion of military training, such as an officer's or commander's course,
or completion of combat training. 20 Adv. Ruth Bar, assistant to the Minister of Defense, Ministry of Defense, letter, October 24, 2011.
2.6. Service in the permanent army
Some 564 Ethiopian Israelis are currently serving in the permanent army. Below are data on
Ethiopian Israelis who have continued to the permanent army after honorable completion of their
compulsory service, segmented by gender and year of discharge.
Table 8: Rate of Those Entering the Permanent Army after Completing Compulsory
Service21
Year of
Discharge
Males Females
Ethiopian
Israeli
Total IDF Ethiopian
Israeli
Total IDF
6111 83.% .8% .3.% ..32%
6119 .38% ..33% 238% ..33%
6118 83.% ..38% .3.% ..3.%
6171 832% ..3.% 332% ..%
It emerges from the table that the percentage of male soldiers of Ethiopian origin who
continued to the permanent army in 2010, out of all male soldiers of Ethiopian origin who
completed compulsory service, was 7.4%, two times lower that the percentage of those
serving in the permanent army out of all IDF soldiers who completed compulsory service
(16.3%). However, the percentage of Ethiopian Israelis currently serving in the permanent
army is 1.4%, nearly equivalent to their percentage in the general population (1.5%).
The table also shows a significant increase in the percentage of female soldiers of Ethiopian
origin who continue to the permanent army, from 6.3% in 2007 to 9.4% in 2010. We note in
this connection that 80 out of the 100 female Ethiopian Israeli soldiers serving in the permanent
army are officers.
We note, furthermore, that currently 51 Ethiopian Israelis are employed as IDF civilian
employees, accounting for 0.7% of all civilians employed by the IDF22
.
2.7. Incarceration during military service
Below are data on the rate of incarceration of IDF soldiers of Ethiopian origin, segmented by the
year of their discharge from the army. We note that soldiers of Ethiopian origin currently
account for 12% of all soldiers incarcerated in military prisons, a rate significantly higher
21 Ibid. 22 Ibid, letter, February 8, 2011.
than the percentage of Ethiopian Israelis in the general population (1.5%)23
. The table below
presents data on the percentage of soldiers of Ethiopian origin who were incarcerated during their
term of service, out of all Ethiopian Israeli soldiers, segmented by year of discharge and
compared to the corresponding rate in the general population.
Table 9: Rate of Ethiopian Israeli Soldiers Incarcerated During Military Service
Compared to the General Population24
Year of
Discharge
Ethiopian
Israeli Males
All IDF
Soldiers
Ethiopian
Israeli Females
All IDF
Soldiers
6111 ..3.% 4.38% .832% 2%
6119 .43.% 4.38% .83.% .3.%
6118 ..3.% 423.% .43.% .34%
6171 .433% 4.32% ..3.% .3.%
The data show that during 2007-2010 there was no meaningful change in the percentage of
incarcerated male soldiers from the total number of male soldiers of Ethiopian origin, and
it remained double the percentage of incarcerated soldiers from among all IDF male
soldiers (52.9% versus 25.4% in 2010). There was a significant drop in the percentage of
incarcerated female soldiers from the total number of female soldiers of Ethiopian origin,
but this rate nevertheless remains three times the total percentage of incarcerated female
soldiers (3.3%). We note that in these years, the incarceration percentage among female soldiers
of Ethiopian origin was significantly lower than the rate for male soldiers of Ethiopian origin.
As to the breakdown of incarcerated soldiers of Ethiopian origin by type of offense, it emerges
from the table below that a majority of Ethiopian Israeli soldiers were imprisoned for
desertion (55%), absence without leave (24%) and disciplinary offenses (15%), and a
minority for other offenses, such as unlawful use of weapons, violence or draft evasion.
23 We note that the percentage of FSU immigrants among all incarcerated soldiers is 17%, that of
minorities is 1% and that of native-born Israelis is 70%. 24 Adv. Ruth Bar, assistant to the Minister of Defense, Ministry of Defense, letter, October 24, 2011.
Table 10: Breakdown of Incarcerated Soldiers of Ethiopian Origin by Type of Offense
Type of
Offense
Desertion Disciplinary
Offenses
Unlawful
Use of
Weapons
Violence Drugs Absence
without
Leave
Theft Draft
Evasion
Percentage
of those
Incarcerated
..% ..% .3.% .38% .% 4.% .% .%
The IDF reports that the percentage of repeat incarceration (second and third prison terms)
among soldiers of Ethiopian origin is 14% for males and 2% for females.
In view of the high percentage of soldiers of Ethiopian origin incarcerated in military prison
bases, the army has taken the following steps, among others, to combat this phenomenon: holding
of special workshops for soldiers of Ethiopian origin addressing issues of relevance to them;
assignment of an immigrant and personal welfare officer to provide solutions for Ethiopian
Israeli soldiers; personal talks and lectures by officers from the Ethiopian community, who can
serve as role models and a source of encouragement for returning to normal service; holding of
workshops at military prison bases to impart knowledge regarding the rights of soldiers of
Ethiopian origin; holding of seminars on the subject of the integration of Ethiopian Israelis in the
IDF, and holding talks to strengthen motivation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Immigrant
Absorption and the Tzionei Israel Association (Israel Association for Ethiopian Jews). Since
February 2011, the IDF has been running a pilot program that focuses on Ethiopian Israeli
soldiers serving a second prison term due to absence without leave, in which the soldiers are
reassigned to Meitav (the military unit responsible for the tasks previously performed by the
Recruitment Administration and the "BAKUM" Reception and Sorting Base) at the end of their
prison term, to determine their placement and help them make better use of their period of
military service25
.
3. Programs to Promote the Integration of Ethiopian Israelis in the IDF
Below we review the principal programs (insofar as we received information on them) which the
IDF operates, in collaboration with other entities, such as the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption,
for promoting the integration of Ethiopian Israelis in military service. We note that some of these
programs are held prior to recruitment, including: mentoring in boarding schools26
; concentrated
25 Ibid. 26 This is a new program which will begin to be implemented in the 2011-12 school year in around ten
boarding schools.
activity in boarding schools and youth villages; visits by youths and their parents to IDF units27
;
dealing with issues related to service conditions so as to complete the process before the day of
induction, inter alia in order to enable Ethiopian Israelis to receive the benefits to which they are
entitled from the first day of service. In addition, the IDF operates, in collaboration with other
entities, programs for Ethiopian Israeli soldiers at the start of their service, including:
The "Amir" course for male and female non-combat soldiers, which is intended to impart
to trainees important learning skills for success in military service and enable their
assignment to occupations which are defined by the IDF as quality occupations and could
also lead to an officer's commission. Thus far, 1,370 soldiers (430 men and 940 women)
have starting the course, and the IDF has reported a decision to increase the number of
participants in the course by an additional 150 trainees.
Preparation for field units: Further to the IDF's intention, noted above, to expand the Amir
course to include additional soldiers, a preparatory program has been established for
combat- designated soldiers of Ethiopian origin, aimed at preparing them to cope with the
combat environment and providing them with tools that could help them to complete officer
training later on in their service. The IDF has reported that this year some 150 soldiers are
expected to participate in this program. It has also been reported that to enable focusing on
the issue of completion of command and officer training, the IDF is formulating a special
program to prepare Ethiopian Israelis for these roles in field units.
Likewise, the IDF has reported that Ethiopian Israeli graduates of the Atuda academic program,
who are entitled to extend their studies as a means of increasing their perseverance in the Atuda
academic program, are placed as academic officers in all branches and areas of authority of the
IDF according to their education. In addition, the IDF operates, in collaboration with the
Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, the JDC, the Ministry of Education and other entities,
additional programs aimed at developing Ethiopian Israelis towards command and officer roles.
The IDF has also reported in this connection that "recently, it was decided that the Manpower
Directorate would formulate an wide-ranging action plan covering the range of activities, that
revises the previous five-year plan and synchronizes the necessary activities for achieving a
successful and effective outcome28
."
27 In this program, a visiting day is held for youth before recruitment and their parents, during which they
are introduced to the unit's commanders, soldiers and social welfare officer, tour the unit and engage in
other preparatory activities. 28 Adv. Ruth Bar, assistant to the Minister of Defense, Ministry of Defense, letter, October 24, 2011.
4. Integration in Pre-Military Preparatory Programs
Pre-military preparatory programs ("Mechinot") were established for the purpose of preparing
youth who have graduated from the educational system for their meeting with army life and for
full and meaningful service in the IDF, and to encourage volunteering to combat units, elite units
and command and officer tracks29
.
In the previous school year (5710-11), 37 Mechinot operated in Israel with 2,400 trainees.
According to Ministry of Education data, 98 Ethiopian Israeli trainees are studying in the
Mechinot in the 5711-12 school year, accounting for 4% of all trainees (a higher rate than the
percentage of Ethiopian Israelis in the general population)30
. It further emerges from the Ministry
of Education data that the majority of Ethiopian Israeli trainees participate in several main
programs: the Yemin Orde program, which is currently attended by 54 Ethiopian Israeli
trainees31
, the Kiryat Malachi program, which is attended by three Ethiopian Israeli trainees out
of a total of 45 trainees in the first-year track (20%), the Gal-Acco program, which is attended by
nine Ethiopian Israeli trainees, and the Tamir Katzrin program, which is attended by seven
Ethiopian Israeli trainees32
.
The Kiryat Malachi and Yemin Orde programs report that Ethiopian Israeli trainees require
more extensive assistance than is provided to trainees from the general population, and the
Mechinot invest substantial resources in locating and recruiting trainees from the
Ethiopian community and in providing them with financial, academic and social assistance
in the course of their studies. The Ministry of Education reports that several attempts were
made in the past to raise funds specifically for Ethiopian Israeli youth studying in the programs,
but the matter has still not been finalized33
.
29 Website of the Ministry of Education – pre-military preparatory programs: http://cms.education.gov.il/
EducationCMS/Units/Mechinot_Kdam/Odot/skira.htm, entry: November 22, 2011. 30 Yohanan Ben Yaakov, head of pre-military programs in the Ministry of Education, letter, August 21,
2011. 31 It should be noted that 80% out of the 190 Ethiopian Israeli trainees who attended the Yemin Orde
program during 2006-2010 were assigned to combat roles, and 3.5% of them became officers. 32 Eyal Eldar, head of the Yemin Orde Pre-Army Program for Military Command and Social Excellence,
letter, August 21, 2011; Rabbi Boaz Sherman, head of the Kiryat Malachi Pre-Military Program, letter,
August 14, 2011. 33 Yohanan Ben Yaakov, head of pre-military programs in the Ministry of Education, letter, August 21,
2011.
