Mahal (Israel)

Machal (Hebrew מח"ל, acronym of the Hebrew words Mitnadvei Chutz LaAretz, Hebrew מתנדבי חוץ לארץ to dt: Volunteers from outside the country ) is the voluntary military service in the Israel Defense Forces, which today is open to Jewish men and women who not a citizen of the State of Israel. Depending on the language skills of the service lasts for 14 or 18 months, the upper age limit for women is 21 and for men at 24 years. Doctors can report up to the age of 36 years voluntarily.

During the Israeli War of Independence in 1948, many people of non- Jewish faith in the IDF served. 1948 were counted approximately 4,000 volunteers, of whom 119 lost their lives, among them the first Israeli General David Marcus. In their honor, established the State of Israel in 1993 a monument in the Yitzhak Rabin Park, where all the names and nations are noted.

Men and women of non- Jewish faith can serve voluntarily in the Sar -El program without a weapon today.