SCOOP: Russia, US lead 78-country roster of 'olim' Recruits in latest IDF draft

More than 2,500 immigrants from around the world are enlisting in the Israel Defense Forces as part of the July-August 2026 draft, alongside hundreds of lone soldiers and recruits representing every sector of Israeli society.

Russia leads the immigrant contingent with 512 recruits, followed by the United States with 489, Ukraine with 410, Ethiopia with 259, and France with 192. In total, the immigrants joining this cohort hail from 78 countries.

The draft includes 392 newly arrived immigrants - 246 men and 146 women - and 2,127 veteran immigrants. The cohort also comprises 449 lone soldiers, defined as immigrant enlistees without immediate family in Israel, split between 233 men and 216 women.

The IDF noted that recruits in the intake were born across diverse nations including Armenia, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Ecuador, Estonia, Haiti, Honduras, Iraq, Kenya, Luxembourg, Morocco, Nigeria, Portugal, Slovakia, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Beyond its international composition, the draft reflects Israeli society's diversity. Recruits include Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Druze, Bedouin, Circassian and other groups entering military service. Men comprise 61% of the cohort, while women account for 39%.

An IDF official stated: "The July-August 2026 draft cohort brings thousands of new recruits to the IDF from different countries, communities and religions." The official added that the varied backgrounds highlight the IDF's role as a national institution during a challenging period in Israel's history, as the military operates on multiple fronts while defending civilians.