Although exact numbers are never released, today marks the largest enlistment days of the year, as boys born in 1983 join the army for three years. 78% of Jewish boys are actually enlisting; the other 22% consist of those who declare that they are studying Torah (9.5%), those who are exempt for health reasons (5.7%), and others (6.8%). Among girls, who enlist for a two-year period, 62% will join; more than 30% were exempted by their declaration that they are religious, but many of those will perform National Service. Motivation - measures by those who say that they are happy to serve in a combat unit - is up, to 83%, compared to 78% last year.
Boaz Katzav, son of the President of Israel, is enlisting in the army today for his three-year stint. He has just completed a year in the pre-military Torah academy in Eli, in northern Binyamin (Samaria), and will serve in the Golani brigade. He told Yediot Acharonot that he spent the last few months, and particularly yesterday, \"strengthening myself in Torah study, since I know that in the army I will not have enough time to learn.\" His mother, First Lady Gila Katzav, said that she expects the army authorities to treat her son no differently than any other soldier.
Boaz Katzav, son of the President of Israel, is enlisting in the army today for his three-year stint. He has just completed a year in the pre-military Torah academy in Eli, in northern Binyamin (Samaria), and will serve in the Golani brigade. He told Yediot Acharonot that he spent the last few months, and particularly yesterday, \"strengthening myself in Torah study, since I know that in the army I will not have enough time to learn.\" His mother, First Lady Gila Katzav, said that she expects the army authorities to treat her son no differently than any other soldier.