Machal or Aliyah?

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How should you draft to the IDF? Through the Machal Program or by making Aliyah? Let’s start by getting to know the history behind each process.


***Note that this article was written during July 2025. Small details of government processes tend to change over time. Make sure to always double check facts that are written about bureaucracy in articles if they are not current.***

Machal? Aliyah? How should you be drafting? 

Let’s understand each process so you can decide which is the right fit for you!

The original usage of “Machal” (מתנדבי חוץ לארץ- foreign volunteers) referred to volunteers (many of whom were WWII veterans) who came to Israel to serve in the 1948 War of Independence. These volunteers arrived with prior military knowledge and training and immediately set out to fight. With their skills and experience, they helped form the IDF.

See this video for more historical information about Machal and it’s impact:

Today, Machal is a program allowing foreign youth to volunteer to serve a shortened army service without becoming Israeli citizens, albeit with certain limitations on their service. If you have spent eighteen months or more in Israel within the past five years, you can draft through the program, but you will need to do a full service.

“Aliyah” is the process of becoming a naturalized Israeli citizen. In 1950 the Knesset (Israeli parliament) passed the “Law of Return” which dictates that all Jews have the right to Israeli citizenship. Once you have finished the process of “making Aliyah” and are officially an Israeli citizen you will be obligated to complete your mandatory military service in accordance with Israeli law. 

Machal is a program allowing Jews from abroad to come to Israel, do a relatively short military service, and return to their countries of origin without a deeper level of commitment. Aliyah is for Jews from abroad who want to build their lives in Israel, and as part of that, do their required service. It is possible to draft through Machal and later make Aliyah, although in some cases you may be required to serve a full service (24 or 32 months).

Having a criminal record in your home country or not being qualified under the Law of Return can have a significant impact on your eligibility to draft through Machal or to make Aliyah. 

So what are the pros and cons of each option?

Machal and Aliyah: Comparing Details
Subject	Aliyah	Machal
Pre-draft process	The enlistment process lasts a few months and begins only after formally making Aliyah- which can also span a number of months.	The application process begins while living abroad, and is designed to expedite enlistment.
Length of Service	Men (and women in combat): 32 months Women: 24 months	18 months (in some circumstances- longer)After this time, you have the option to extend your service if you wish.
Status in the country	Full benefits and rights of all Israeli citizens. Granted Israeli passport and ID card.	Student visa. Cannot: obtain a work permit, vote, privately own a firearm, obtain national health insurance, receive social benefits.
IDF Service	Eligible to serve in all IDF units.	Acquiring security clearance is difficult, meaning- highly unlikely to serve in intelligence units, Commando units, or any other unit/role that requires security clearance.
Benefits	All IDF benefits, including veteran benefits. For those in eligible countries you will also receive benefits from Nefesh B’Nefesh	All IDF benefits.
Reserve duty	Required to do reserve duty.	No reserve duty requirement. You can apply to do reserves if you wish.

As a natural result of the different pre-draft processes, Aliyah candidates spend, on average, a significantly greater amount of time in Israel before their draft date than Machal candidates. With that time come greater language skills, opportunities for physical fitness and preparations, a deeper understanding of Israeli culture and  a stronger social support network. Consequently, people drafting after having made Aliyah tend to be better prepared for the realities of daily service than their Machal counterparts.

If you are drafting through Machal, it is encouraged to put effort into spending time in the country before your draft- Come early, enjoy the land, learn Hebrew, meet friends, study the culture, learn about the IDF and the different units you may be interested in.

Whichever process is right for you- give yourself time to experience Israel and to internalize the meaning and the ramifications of the choice you are making. Rushing into decisions is never a good idea, and neither is starting such a daunting chapter in life unprepared. 

You might be surprised how easy it is to draft without any preparation- Fill out all the paperwork, pass a basic medical exam and you will be drafted into the IDF. It’s easy to draft without a direction in mind and end up in a job that isn’t right for you. Many people, Israeli and foreign, draft before realizing that they are unprepared for the realities of army service. The IDF isn’t a paradise. Military service isn’t easy. It isn’t nice and it doesn’t care about your feelings. There are far too many stories of people who end their services unhappily and unhealthily. Set yourself up to succeed- Prepare yourself mentally and physically, learn about different units, talk to people who have done what you want to do, understand what’s before you, what challenges you are ready and willing to face. 

You have the information, analyze your options and the benefits and disadvantages of each for you, take your time and make the decision that is right for you. Make sure you are fully aware of what you are doing, and that you’re making a decision that you understand or are prepared for. 

We at Tzevet Mikey are here to advise and help you receive the tools you need in order to succeed in your IDF service. We will help you train physically, learn Hebrew, and provide the educatational tools you need prior to your draft. 

We’re here in Israel, ready for you to reach out and join us.

If you’re heading to Israel to draft or already in Israel, register for Tzevet Mikey through this link: Tzevet Mikey.com/register