Born in Israel to Foreign Parents, Youths Fight in Court for IDF Enlistment
Young adults born in Israel to Filipino parents are fighting in the High Court for the right to enlist in the IDF, challenging state delays amid a severe military manpower shortage.
While the IDF navigates the longest conflict in its history amid a severe manpower shortage, a group of young adults born and raised in Israel is fighting a legal battle to enlist and serve the country. John Ray Delisay, Muliv Vicente, and Mariel Aiah Ay are among the youths behind a High Court petition seeking to secure draft notices. Born in Israel to parents who legally immigrated from the Philippines, they share a deep-rooted connection to the state.
"The phrase that best describes our situation is 'a person is nothing more than the landscape of their homeland,'" Mariel, 19, explains. "We were born here, and like any other Israeli, we were raised on Zionist values. We feel we have a significant contribution to make. When we see our friends returning home from the army, it tugs at our hearts. We also want to give back to the country."
The Urgency of Enlistment After October 7
The October 7 massacre and the ensuing war intensified their motivation to volunteer and contribute to the war effort. Muliv, 20, who completed a year of national service in Kibbutz Re'im after high school, stated: "After October 7, I volunteered in Kibbutz Nirim. I saw what happened there, I saw what was happening in Kiryat Shmona, and I told myself: 'This is my country, there is no way I am not protecting it.'"
Despite the IDF's stated need for thousands of additional soldiers, the state continues to reject their enlistment requests. Previous government resolutions between 2005 and 2010 granted permanent residency to children of migrant workers under the condition that they enlist in the IDF at 18. However, because these were temporary administrative orders rather than permanent legislation, the window of opportunity closed years ago, leaving these youths in legal limbo.
"There are people trying to get out of service every possible way. When will you see a group of people saying they want to enlist, even though they don't have to? I know they need me, but they don't want to accept me. I am disappointed, it hurts," says John Ray.
A Long Legal Battle
The trio represents dozens of teenagers who petitioned the High Court demanding the right to enlist. The petition, filed in December 2025 by attorneys Zari Hazan, Meital Lopolyansky, and Dror Strum, has faced repeated delays. The state has been ordered to submit its response by October 4.
Attorney Zari Hazan, chairman of the Israel Bar Association's Immigration Committee, noted: "There is no dispute regarding the IDF's need for thousands of additional soldiers. Despite the High Court obligating the Defense Minister and the Chief of Staff to respond to the petition months ago, they are evading it, thereby worsening the ongoing harm to national security."
An IDF Spokesperson's Unit response stated: "The petition has been received. The state's response will be submitted through standard legal procedures." Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the issue has not yet been presented to him, adding that he will address it accordingly once reviewed.
