Pavel Palisa calls for studying Israel’s experience with compulsory military service for men and women
Colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Pavlo Palisa, who currently holds the post of deputy head of the Office of the President for Defense Affairs, said that Ukraine should carefully analyze the model of general military service that operates in Israel. That’s what he’s about said in an interview with Bshus.Info.
Palisa noted that in Israel, both men and women are required to serve in the army, and this norm is deeply rooted in society. According to him, participation in the defense of the state should become a mandatory condition for citizens who apply for social benefits, educational benefits or government positions.
“It may sound unusual, but maybe it’s time for us to think about the fact that everyone who considers himself a full-fledged citizen should have experience of service. If you want to receive support from the state budget, first serve.” he emphasized.
Palisa proposed not to go down the path of long-term commitments, but to introduce a minimum term — for example, a year of service, which would be mandatory for both men and women. He emphasized that in the modern army there are many functions that can be performed by people with different skills and physical capabilities, and there is no need to reduce military service to combat tasks only.
In his opinion, even a year of service allows you to master basic skills, understand the specifics of the army structure, and prepare for further participation in defense in the event of mobilization. Also, those who complete this initial service will be able to return to the same unit in case of war or other threat.
“Both men and women should feel what the army is like, how it functions, what it lives on. This is a matter of collective responsibility.” Palisa concluded.
According to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, as of January 2025, more than 70,000 women serve in the Armed Forces, of which about 5,500 are on the front lines. In a March address, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrsky noted that almost 20,000 women hold combat positions, which indicates the deep integration of women into the state’s defense system.
