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Source: https://mosaicmagazine.com/essay/israel-zionism/2025/06/the-israeli-reservists-who-just-wont-quit/
The Israeli Reservists Who Just Won't Quit
(Mosaic) Daniel Polisar - With the Gaza war having passed the 600-day mark, large numbers of reservists have been in uniform for more than half of them - a magnitude unprecedented in Israel's history. The army does not provide detailed information on the number of reservists still reporting for duty. But many reservists I spoke with reported enlistment rates between 80 and 85% in their units. A senior officer I trust in the Yahalom combat engineering unit - responsible for most of the work of destroying Hamas tunnels - said that they have a 90% turnout of reservists in their current tour of duty. While those who no longer report for duty (many for important personal reasons) generate headlines, the real story is of a reserve army whose combat soldiers have put in more days of service than at any time in Israeli history and have continued to report for duty in unexpectedly high numbers. Every reservist with whom I have spoken reported for duty on Oct. 7 without a moment's hesitation, and many continued to show up for rounds two, three, four, and beyond. C., deputy commander of a tank company, said, "I feel that I have to be part of this great story of Israel, which is connected to the core of my identity." S., a commander in a reserve infantry unit, said, "I'm part of the Jewish people and I believe in the Jewish people. I couldn't stay home in these circumstances." U., a fighter in a mobility unit, said, "There's a sense that we're doing something of historical significance. Hamas is not yet destroyed and my fellow soldiers and I want to help destroy it." V. explained that she sees herself taking part in a conflict that is still existential: "This is our country and if we don't defend it, no one will do so in our place." U. has been with the same 20 teammates for the better part of 18 months. After what they have been through together, he cannot see himself leaving them now. When he was visiting the U.S., he asked himself, "The team is there, and I'm going to sit here?" V. said, "the company became my family and the moment it's your family, you have to be there for your family." All Israelis, and everyone around the world who supports the Jewish state, owe the reservists very, very much. All Israel ought to feel pride in belonging to a nation that has produced such fine citizens. The writer is co-founder and executive vice-president of Shalem College in Jerusalem.