Over 150 young immigrants from the United States, Canada, Australia, Britain, Kenya, and other countries will arrive in Israel this winter to join the IDF, the Tzofim Garin Tzabar program announced on Sunday.
The announcement follows about 350 arrivals in summer 2025, bringing the program’s total for the year to roughly 500 and marking a record since its founding in 1991.
Program leaders said the uptick comes amid the ongoing war, with hundreds of young people choosing to leave home and language to enlist and integrate into Israeli society during a period of national security challenge. They framed the choice as reflecting a strong sense of mission and commitment to the state.
The winter cohort builds on the summer 2025 wave that brought more than 300 young immigrants from countries including the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Britain, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, Guatemala, South Africa, Finland, Ukraine, and Singapore. Program staff said 2025 has become a record year for Garin Tzabar, with about 500 young olim in total.
Garin Tzabar, established by the Israel Scouts in 1991, provides a comprehensive support network for lone immigrant soldiers before aliyah, through enlistment, and after service. The movement says it has supported more than 7,500 lone soldiers in 34 years.
Gaza hostages, deceased IDF soldiers among alumni
According to the Israel Scouts, six lone soldiers connected to Garin Tzabar have fallen since the war began, including deceased Gaza hostage Captain Omer Neutra. Former hostage Edan Alexander is also an alumnus of the program.
Today, more than 1,200 Garin Tzabar soldiers are serving across multiple fronts, and many alumni have returned from abroad for reserve duty since October 7.
“Almost two years since the war began, we are witnessing a marked increase in the number of young people choosing to make aliyah and enlist right now,” Raz Perl, chair of the Israel Scouts movement, said.
“Garin Tzabar expresses living Zionism, young people choosing Israel not only in easier moments, but in the hardest hours.”