In a rare move, MK Tzvi Succot has formally requested to join active IDF duty during the upcoming Knesset recess, citing personal duty and national unity in the face of ongoing threats.
Jerusalem, July 2025 — In an extraordinary show of personal commitment and national solidarity, Member of Knesset Tzvi Succot (Religious Zionism) has sent a personal request to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, seeking to volunteer for combat duty during the upcoming Knesset recess, under the “Shlav Bet” volunteer framework.
In his heartfelt letter, Succot emphasized his desire to take an active role in defending the country during these critical times, stating:
“Defending the people of Israel is both a right and an obligation.”
Beyond a personal mission, Succot’s move carries symbolic weight in the midst of ongoing national debates surrounding equality in military service and national responsibility.
The lawmaker revealed that he had previously attempted multiple times to enlist in the IDF, but was denied due to an ideological exemption he received after opposing the 2005 disengagement from Gush Katif. Now, with Israel facing heightened security tensions and the Knesset entering recess, Succot says he sees a unique opportunity to contribute directly on the battlefield.
“This is something I’ve wanted to do for years. In these sensitive times, I feel a deep obligation to take part not only in political leadership but in physical defense,” Succot wrote.
The request by a sitting member of the Israeli parliament to temporarily return to active military service is highly unusual and is currently being reviewed by senior IDF officials.
If approved, Succot’s decision could send a powerful message about shared responsibility and national unity, amid rising social and political tensions surrounding conscription and public service.
