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 did n'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 ) . It 's believed there are approximately 750 Americans currently serving in the Israeli military , according to the New York-based Friends of IDF . The group raises funds for the cultural , recreational and social needs of Israeli soldiers . Going to Israel ? Share your story . Although there are no firm numbers of those who have signed up in recent days , the interest level of Americans seems to have increased amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas , according to Orit Mizner , southwest regional director for Friends of Israel Scouts , an organization that helps North American Jews stay connected to Israel . `` Those kind of phone calls keep on coming . ... There 's definitely a sense of the need to be in Israel and a need to take part in what 's going on , '' said Mizner , whose organization runs a program called Garin Tzabar , which helps facilitate Americans ' entry into the IDF . Americans have been serving in the IDF for decades . Israel requires that its citizens serve in the military when they turn 18 -- three years for men , two years for women . Young Americans with dual citizenship living in Israel are required to serve as well . Those outside Israel , whether they hold Israeli citizenship or not , can apply for the IDF if they meet requirements including no criminal record , a high school diploma and the ability to speak Hebrew . The U.S. government does n't discourage those wanting to join , but some may question why those willing to put themselves in harm 's way would choose the IDF as opposed to the American military . `` As much I 'm a proud American , '' said David Meyers of Belmont , California , `` there 's an incredibly deep and long connection that I have to Israel . '' Meyers , who now works in sales in Silicon Valley , holds dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship . `` The United States with its strength and size , perhaps , is n't quite needing your abilities and your efforts , '' he said , explaining his choice to spend six years in the Israeli navy . His Israeli-born comrades sometimes expressed puzzlement over his decision to leave the comforts of American life for the dangers of military service , he said . `` They sometimes scratched their heads when they see people coming from other countries , '' said Meyers , who served in the Israeli navy in the late 1980s and early '90s . But he added that he was warmly embraced . Flesch , who is not an Israeli citizen , served more than 18 months . He became a paratrooper in the Israeli army and was recognized twice as the outstanding soldier of his platoon . His proudest achievement : `` That I 'd done my part to defend the Jewish people ( from ) those who tried to harm us throughout the years . '' For some Americans , Gaza conflict strikes close to home .
About 750 Americans are currently in the Israeli military , an advocacy group says . In Israel , military service is required of all citizens at age 18 , male and female . That includes young Americans with dual citizenship living in Israel . Those outside Israel can apply if they meet requirements including speaking Hebrew .