Authorities investigated a father and son’s participation in the Sar-El volunteer program after a blog post linked to the organization came to the attention of the Internal Security Department (ISD) in 2025. The investigation determined the pair were not involved in military activities with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Background
The authorities assessed that participation in Sar-El did not constitute service in a foreign military, based on information provided by the father and the Sar-El website. However, the authorities informed the father that his child’s participation was not endorsed or authorized and would be undertaken at the individual’s own risk.
By the time the authorities responded to the father’s inquiry, both he and his son had already completed a two-week volunteer program with Sar-El. No action was taken against them, as their activities did not involve combat roles.
Blog Post and Investigation
Sometime between 2018 and 2019, the son published a blog post featuring a photograph of himself in a National Cadet Corps ceremonial uniform. The post included a hyperlink to his website, which then linked to the Sar-El Volunteer Corps (Singapore) website.
The ISD engaged with the father and son in 2025 after discovering the blog post. Following their investigation, the ISD concluded that the pair had not engaged in any military activities with the IDF. The son subsequently removed the blog post, and the pair are no longer involved with Sar-El.
The ministries added that there was no information linking the pair’s volunteering to a recent report concerning Singaporeans potentially fighting with the IDF during the conflict in Gaza.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sar-El program?
Sar-El is a civilian program that recruits volunteers to work alongside soldiers of the IDF in non-combat roles on military bases throughout Israel.
Did the authorities endorse the father and son’s participation in Sar-El?
No, the authorities informed the father that his child’s participation was not endorsed or authorized and would be undertaken at the individual’s own risk.
When did the authorities last evaluate requests related to Sar-El?
Since 2016, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has not evaluated any similar requests with respect to Sar-El.
As international events continue to unfold, will authorities maintain the same level of scrutiny regarding citizen participation in volunteer programs abroad?
