Deputy Defense Minister Eli Ben-Dahan said, Monday evening, that the volunteer efforts of Israeli soldiers should be among citizens of Israel. He was responding to word from the Israel Defense Forces that they will be reviewing their list of permissible organizations and institutions where soldiers may volunteer. Earlier, by request from Rabbi Ben-Dahan, a training base stopped its volunteer service in a daycare center for children of people who had infiltrated Israel.
Ben-Dahan said, "I think that generally speaking, the famous Jewish rule 'charity begins at home' is valid here. IDF soldiers must volunteer with the elderly, children with special needs, or children without family support, or assist any public among the Israeli population, which is certainly no less in need of the assistance ". He added, "Working with children who have infiltrated to Israel and are staying in the country illegally, is not an activity that the IDF should encourage,"