The current study examines the relationship between Israel's social ethos and motivation for mandatory military service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Based on extensive survey data collected from 2015-2023, it analyzes how national identity, perceived security threats, family influence, and socio-political factors affect service motivation among Israeli youth. The research reveals that despite recent social tensions, motivation for combat service in Israel has remained stable, with family traditions and community values serving as strong predictors of service attitudes. The findings highlight the continued centrality of military service in Israeli society while documenting evolving patterns in how different demographic groups approach their service obligations.

1. Introduction and Research Methodology

Motivation for service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has historically been characterized by fluctuations influenced by multiple factors, including personal achievement motivation, desire for social integration, perceived security threats, and educational background. While Western democracies have generally observed declining traditional motivation for military service over recent decades, Israel represents a unique case due to its stronger family cohesion and persistent security challenges that justify maintaining the "Citizen-Soldier army" model.

Recent years have seen Israeli society experiencing increasing tensions related to religion-state relations, political struggles, and security concerns from waves of…