New IDF initiative offers fast-track reserve duty for immigrants to Israel

Col. (res.) Dr. Hanan Shai: The initiative addresses a fundamental reality: the IDF needs more people. The army must carefully manage the integration process to maximize benefits for all involved.

First of all, this confirms what we know… that we need every available person. From the perspective of the IDF, it is clear that this is a most important addition. One needs to see that they are not concentrated [in one place] but dispersed, so that there is a matching [to roles] as there should be.

The full interview was published in JNS on January 13, 2026.