African asylum seekers join Israel"s fight in Gaza

Israel has been enlisting African asylum seekers to participate in military operations in Gaza, offering them permanent residency in return. This recruitment strategy has raised concerns, as the Israeli army's deployment of these individuals is not publicly disclosed. Despite their contributions, no asylum seekers have received official status thus far. The situation is exacerbated by the low approval rate for asylum claims in Israel, with less than 1% being granted. The aftermath of the Hamas attacks on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of three asylum seekers among the 1,200 casualties, sparked a surge of volunteerism among the asylum seeker community. Many view military service as a pathway to better integration into Israeli society. Some have even sought to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to improve their legal standing. Critics argue that this practice creates a problematic quid pro quo, undermining the principle that asylum should be granted based on merit. However, Israeli defense officials assert that their actions are legal and necessary due to a shortage of soldiers amid ongoing military operations. The government has previously allowed foreign workers' children to serve in the IDF in exchange for family status, indicating a precedent for such recruitment. In response to the ongoing conflict and military needs, Israel's Supreme Court has mandated that ultra-Orthodox Jews, who were historically exempt from conscription, must now serve. Additionally, the retirement age for reservists has been temporarily raised to bolster troop numbers, reflecting the urgent demand for military personnel.