Daniel Flesch, then a college student at the University of Illinois, had heard too much anti-Israeli sentiment. He had family members who had survived the Holocaust and felt compelled to fight back at what he perceived as a growing level of anti-Semitism in America. So in 2010, he joined Israel's military. "I just didn't want to sit on the sidelines," the now-26-year-old said in an interview via Skype. "I wanted to actually fight back against those who think Israel and the Jewish people should not exist." Flesch, now a graduate student at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, became what's known as a "lone soldier" --  a citizen from another country who joins the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
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About 750 Americans are currently in the Israeli military, an advocacy group says
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In Israel, military service is required of all citizens at age 18, male and female
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That includes young Americans with dual citizenship living in Israel
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Those outside Israel can apply if they meet requirements including speaking Hebrew
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His @placeholder-born comrades sometimes expressed puzzlement over his decision to leave the comforts of American life for the dangers of military service, he said.
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Flesch, who is not an @placeholder citizen, served more than 18 months.