Who are the Lone Soldiers?
Let's take a moment to understand what we're talking about.
In the army, there are two groups of soldiers classified as Lone Soldiers:
- Official Lone Soldiers – These are soldiers who have lost both parents or whose parents permanently reside abroad. This includes those who made Aliyah to Israel alone, those whose parents moved abroad, or those whose parents are on an overseas assignment for six months or more.
- Soldiers Without Family Support – According to the IDF, a soldier falls into this category if they meet one or more of the following criteria:
- They are not in contact with their parents.
- Their parents do not provide them with a functional family structure.
- Even if they have some contact with their parents, they are unable to live with them and do not receive any support.
- It has been proven that they are distant from their family framework and receive no financial support from their family.
Additionally, a soldier is considered a Lone Soldier if, before turning 18, they lived in external care frameworks such as boarding schools or foster homes recognized by the Ministry of Welfare.
During their service, Lone Soldiers face the challenges of daily life on their own. They must take care of tasks such as washing their uniforms, cooking meals for the weekend, and covering expenses like rent, electricity, water, and municipal taxes. In addition, they must navigate bureaucratic processes with various state institutions.
Beyond these basic needs, many Lone Soldiers also face significant personal challenges—all without the support of a family to rely on.
After being discharged from the IDF, these young individuals—lacking family support—often find themselves without emotional, financial, or social backing.
They must navigate life independently, striving to pursue higher education, enter the workforce, achieve their aspirations, and realize their full potential—all without the safety net that many others take for granted.