Israelis show declining zest for military service

Throughout Israel's short, turbulent history, the nation has grown cynical about almost every sector of society but one: its military.

Though the Israeli military has been buffeted by political scandal, castigated for enforcing a 40-year occupation of the Palestinians, and humbled during its 34-day war in 2006 against Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon, most Israelis never seemed to lose faith in their citizen soldiers.

But, under the surface, something has been slowly shifting in Israel as the nation prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary May 14.

More and more Israelis are avoiding mandatory military service — something long viewed in this country as a proud rite of passage.

"In the past, it is true that not serving in the military was considered the exception," said Dr. Rueven Gal, author of "A Portrait of the Israeli Soldier" and former chief psychologist for the Israeli military. "In more recent years it became more tolerable and more acceptable to people."

In 1997, according to army statistics, fewer than one in 10 Israeli men avoided their mandatory three-year military service. These days, it's closer to three in 10. More