In one thing the corona has benefited: more soldiers prefer to stay in service • Reasons: Most have not been able to work regularly in the past six months or fly abroad
Less defectors // Photo: Liron Moldovan
In the shadow of the corona: A drop of tens of percent was recorded in the IDF Personnel Division in the number of deserters over the past six months, according to data obtained at the request of "Israel Today."
While more than a million people are unemployed and unable to work, it seems that the military is actually managing to retain manpower.
It is possible that the fact that it has not been possible to work regularly in recent months has caused a drop in the number of deserters.
Last March, when the crisis began, the number of defectors increased by two percent, 282 defectors compared to 277 in March 2019, and then the steep decline began.
In April 2020 there was a decrease of 25 percent (189 defectors compared to 249 in April 2019) and in May of seven percent (227 defectors this year compared to 347 last year).
Last June there was a dramatic decline of 35 percent (227 defectors compared to 347 last year) and in July of 14 percent (223 defectors compared to 260 last year).
In August 2020, there was another drop in the number of defectors - from 305 defectors in 2019 to 179 defectors in 2020, and September ended with the same figure as last year - 232 defectors, with no decrease or increase.
The IDF notes that during the Corona period, the basket of tools for assisting soldiers in financial difficulties was expanded to help those in need. , Apparently causing many defectors to reconsider their absence from the IDF.
"Soldiers who rejoined the unit will not be sentenced to actual imprisonment and will not be tainted with a criminal record," the IDF promises.
