A CASUAL reading of Ezekiel 37 might overlook the result of the great miracle in the Valley of Dry Bones; the vast congregation of skeletons becomes a GREAT ARMY.

In an article titled “Army without Parallel” by Brigadier-General S. L. A. Marshall, this distinguished American military commentator and author of several books on the Israeli army in war testifies, “Twenty-five years after the founding of the State and 23 years after its own creation, the army of Israel stands there splendidly, awesomely alone. Hostility confronts it on every frontier and it has no ally. No doubt it is the stronger for that reason. The situation is made starkly clear. One major defeat for that army and a nation could go out like a light. On the other hand, no fighting body on earth today has as many friends and admirers among the military elsewhere in the Free World. Other armies bow to its superiority. Brazilians, Japanese, West Germans would like to know more about how the Army of Israel develops its power. So would Americans. The most efficient battle force of modern times, its swift rise to that pre-eminence is without parallel in earlier history” (Jewish Chronicle Colour Magazine, May 4, 1973, page 46).

Israel is the only country in the world in which women are subject to compulsory military service.

Men under 29 and women under 26 are called up for regular service of up to 36 months for men and 20 months for women, the exact term depending on the conscript’s age on recruitment or, with new immigrants, their age on arrival. Physicians, men and women, may be called up until the age of 34. Married women, mothers, and pregnant women, are exempted. Exemption is also granted to women on grounds of religious conviction, after approval by a combined civil-military board.

At the declared wish of their communities, Druzes and Circassians are also drafted for service, and quite a few Moslems and Christians volunteer.

After their term of national service, men and childless women are in the Reserves until the ages of 55 and 34 respectively. Until they are 40, men report for 31 days’ training annually, and, from then until they are 55 for 14 days. Commissioned and non-commissioned officers serve seven extra days a year.

The IDF is organised in three arms — land, sea, and air — functioning under a single combined General Staff. Women, after training, serve in all three arms as non-combatant personnel replacing men, who are thus available for duty in combat formations.