The IDF’s regulations include a law that most senior military commanders would prefer is unknown to soldiers. The law states that once a soldier serving in the military is listed as a candidate on a political party list in a local or national election, that person must be released from military service immediately, without giving commanders a say in the decision. This holds true even if the soldier is positioned in an unrealistic spot on a party list – that is to say too far down to realistic explain to gain a seat in Knesset or local government.

The regulation compels the immediate release of the soldier and the outcome of the election is irrelevant. In the case of compulsory service, one’s service is delayed. If however it pertains to a career member of the service, s/he is discharged and the outcome of the election is not relevant.

Over recent months, with municipal elections on the horizon after Tishrei yomim tovim, dozens of career personnel have requested a discharge under this clause, Yisrael Hayom reports. This includes members of the IDF signed to lengthy commitments in different tracks that included years of training and education.

When asked to comment, the IDF Spokesman’s Office reports only one soldier applied under this clause. The statement was later amended to six members of the military. Yisrael Hayom adds that “persons in the know” in the IDF confirm there are indeed “dozens” seeking immediate discharge.

Attorney Eden Pesach, whose firm handles such cases, is quoted by Yisrael Hayom saying he is unaware of even a single case in which one took advantage of this regulation by seeking discharge under fraudulent circumstances.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)