IDF soldiers' drill (illustrative)
IDF soldiers' drill (illustrative)Israel news photo: Flash 90

Young men from Judea and Samaria are most likely nationwide to enlist as combat soldiers in the IDF, according to new data on army enlistment.

Other localities led in overall youth enlistment due to low female enlistment in Judea and Samaria. The top place went to the Upper Galilee, which had 92.3% enlistment among youth, including 79% enlistment in combat units.

In second place was Lehavim near Be’er Sheva, and in third was Misgav, next to Carmiel.

Female IDF enlistment is usually low in religious-Zionist communities, where many women prefer civilian national service. Women who are religiously observant are automatically exempt from IDF service.

The IDF figures also looked at the number of youth from each district who went on to become IDF officers. The number of officers was linked to socio-economic strength, with youth from richer districts more likely to undergo officer training.

In first place was the Efrata regional council, where 22.2% of youth become IDF officers. In second was the Oranit regional council with 19%, in third was Zevulun with 16.7%, and in fourth was Emek Yisrael with 15%.

Efrata is in the Gush Etzion region of Judea, and Oranit straddles the line between Samaria and the Gush Dan region.