Shortage in the IDF has left about 20,000 soldiers without DNA samples
For several months, the collection of DNA samples from IDF recruits was halted. Among the soldiers are combat troops from the July and August cycles. The reason: a dispute between the Military Rabbinate and the Medical Corps over the funding of preservation equipment. A source familiar with the details: "The shortage was known for almost two years."
About 20,000 soldiers who enlisted in the IDF in recent months did not provide DNA samples upon their enlistment. The samples are used for the purpose of identifying soldiers in casualty events. For several months, the collection of samples from recruits was halted following a dispute between the Military Rabbinate and the Medical Corps over who is required to fund them.
"The shortage of sample preservation equipment was known for almost two years — and no one did anything. Everyone is shirking and throwing the responsibility from one to the other. It is an absurd situation," said a source familiar with the details.
Among the approximately 20,000 soldiers who did not provide DNA samples are combat troops who enlisted in the recent recruitment cycles in July and August. The samples are kept by the IDF for years and are intended to enable the identification of soldiers in the event of casualties. Due to the cessation of collection, a gap has been created in the sample database of thousands of soldiers who enlisted during this period.
The cessation of sample collection was caused by a shortage of dedicated cards used for storing blood samples over time. During the period in which the issue was not resolved, the IDF did not have a sufficient stock of preservation equipment, and the collection of samples from recruits was halted.
