When a volunteer from Canada sorts medical supplies on an Israeli military base, a Frenchman folds uniforms in the warehouse, and a German packs food parcels, there’s more at play than just a logistical program. It’s the visible result of an international volunteer community that, for over four decades, has brought together people from more than 60 countries: SAR-EL, “Service for Israel.”
Dual structure: Civil society meets the military
SAR-EL operates on two central pillars: a civilian organization headquartered in Israel and a corresponding military unit within the IDF. This dual structure is intentional: it combines civilian engagement with military logistics—without turning volunteers into soldiers.
The civilian organization coordinates recruitment, selection, and preparation of participants worldwide. In Israel, it works closely with official IDF bodies. The military SAR-EL unit is assigned to the army’s Logistics Command. Its task: ensuring the effective and safe integration of volunteers on bases.
A well-coordinated system ensures that civilian volunteers, without military training, can be deployed where they’re needed—without disrupting regular operations.
For this complex interplay...
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