By Batya Jerenberg, World Israel News

The IDF announced Sunday that it is beginning a five-day campaign in which draft dodgers can enlist in the army without any penalties.

Called “Starting Over,” the army is billing the move as a “one-time opportunity to turn over a new page” and begin meaningful service in the role most suitable for each person, whether in a combat position, combat-support role or noncombat job.

During this amnesty period, “anyone who proves that they want to enlist for full service in the IDF immediately and are qualified to do so will be able to regularize their status without arrest or imprisonment,” the IDF said.

The offer is also open to those already considered deserters, if they have not yet begun their military training.

Conviction of desertion in military court normally results in serving time in prison and a police criminal record, which can drastically harm a person’s professional career.

The army has a list of more than 14,000 people who should have already begun their army service but did not.

Meanwhile, the IDF is in urgent need of manpower since nearly 900 soldiers have been killed and more than 16,000 wounded in the 22 months of fighting in the Swords of Iron war.

These men have been the target of a huge push to serve since Hamas sparked the ongoing war on Oct. 7, 2023, instead of receiving exemptions because “learning Torah is their occupation.”

However, since in the last draft year about 24,000 army notices were sent to haredi men and only 5% of them enlisted, the number of those officially dodging their duty is set to skyrocket as soon as they have ignored their third notice from the IDF.

The numbers are likely to grow much worse in 2025 if the percentage of haredi refusal does not improve, as last month the army sent out 54,000 additional draft notices to the sector.

In addition to this newest “carrot,” the IDF has also begun using more “sticks” to increase its manpower.

For one, the army has shortened the process that leads to punishment, Brig. Gen. Shai Tayeb, head of the IDF’s Human Resources Planning and Administration Division, told the Knesset’s State Control Committee in mid-July.

The draftees are now receiving their summons by registered mail that is legally binding and have “14 days to report, then a second warning after 14 days, a third after another 14 days, and 30 more days before an arrest order is issued,” he said.

In addition, the Military Police is stepping up its activities.

“The number of personnel at border crossings — including at Ben Gurion Airport — has tripled,” Military Police Detainees Department head Inbar Goldner told the Knesset committee.

“We are working in coordination with the Israel Police, and it has been agreed that anyone flagged as a draft evader at the terminal will be arrested on the spot. We are [also] establishing a new enforcement layer to operate at [other] checkpoints and crossings,” she said.

The IDF made clear that the amnesty campaign is not meant for those who want to receive an exemption from serving, and that it will end definitively on Aug. 21.