Since its independence in 1948, Israel has been in a constant state of war, shaped by its geopolitical realities and the immigration of diaspora Jews from around the world. Israel is also home to Arab-Israeli citizens, who are mostly Muslim and make up about 20% of the population. This unique demographic composition presents Israel with the challenge of balancing religious Jewish identity with a more secular national identity. Some groups aim to establish a Jewish identity centered on religion, while others advocate for a more secular and intellectual approach to shaping the future of the nation.

In this complex and unique situation, the next generation of Israel—its youth—faces various difficulties and challenges. Despite these unfavorable conditions, Israel has maintained a highly effective educational system and a sense of social cohesion.

Here are some of the key issues faced by Israel’s youth:

1. Security Issues Due to Ongoing Conflict
   Since its independence in 1948, Israel has consistently prioritized national security in the midst of the complex political situation in the Middle East. Most Israeli teenagers are required to serve in the military when they turn 18—men serve for three years, and women for two. This can create psychological stress, particularly for those assigned to combat units or exposed to war situations, leading to trauma. As a result, it has become common for soldiers to travel for extended periods after their service to places like South America, India, the U.S., or Europe to recover mentally.

Christian Israeli youth, especially, may face difficulties as religious minorities. In the military, where Jewish traditions are deeply ingrained, openly expressing their faith in Jesus can be challenging, and they may experience religious discrimination or pressure.

During their time in the military, many Israeli youth grapple with questions about life, faith, and identity, often leading them toward atheism, realism, pessimism, or hedonism.

2. Immigrant Families and Social Inequality in Israel
   Israel continues to receive new immigrants. For immigrant families, parents often struggle to integrate into the workforce due to language barriers, leading to economic hardship and family tensions. Parents who are busy making ends meet may not have the time or resources to nurture their children properly.

The second generation of immigrants often struggles with learning Hebrew and adapting to the new environment. They speak their native language at home but must navigate the Hebrew-speaking world outside, leading to confusion and communication breakdowns with their parents. These linguistic, cultural, and religious differences can create a sense of isolation for immigrant youth in Israeli society.

The challenges of language barriers, cultural shocks, and academic pressures, combined with economic struggles, can increase stress for these young people and lead to feelings of alienation.

3. Social Disparity and Reverse Discrimination
   Around 21% of Israel’s population is Arab, and about 13% are ultra-Orthodox Jews. These two groups have traditionally been exempt from military service (although there are ongoing efforts to change this for the ultra-Orthodox, implementation has been slow due to opposition). As a result, about 35% of the population does not serve in the military, while the remaining 65% bears the burden of mandatory service. For Israeli men, military service lasts three to four years, meaning they often enter the workforce much later.

In contrast, Arab-Israeli citizens can attend university after a year of preparation and start their careers around age 24. However, Israeli youth often don’t begin their studies until after their military service, around age 23 or 24, and finish by age 27 or 28. Many juggle work, studies, and family responsibilities at this stage, which can hinder their career development. Consequently, many skilled engineering and technical jobs are filled by Arab-Israelis.

There is growing frustration among secular Israelis over this perceived reverse discrimination, but change is slow.

4. Identity Confusion Among Israel’s Next Generation
   Given these circumstances, Israel’s youth often struggle with identity confusion and the search for their true identity. On the one hand, they possess a strong capacity for philosophical reflection and a keen sense of justice and morality. They engage in debates and discussions about life’s deeper questions.

However, without true answers, these debates often lead to emptiness. This vacuum can drive young people toward pessimism and the pursuit of pleasure—not in a shallow sense, but through social events, parties, and gatherings.

Ultimately, finding one’s true identity is something all humans naturally seek. Questions such as “Where did I come from?” “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?” are central to understanding one’s identity. Without answering these questions, one cannot find purpose or direction in life. Therefore, what Israel’s next generation needs most is to find and restore their true identity in the God who created them through the gospel. They need a vision to seek first God’s eternal kingdom and righteousness.

5. Prayer Requests for Israel’s Next Generation
   We must pray for a revival among Israel’s youth, that they may experience true restoration through the gospel and receive a vision for the future. On November 1-2 this year, there will be a Vision United Camp for the next generation of Israel. Let us pray that through this camp, the next generation of Israel will rediscover their true identity in God and receive the vision of Israel as a nation of priests, shining the light to all nations.

In particular, after this camp, we hope to launch a short-term mission lasting about 3-4 days, utilizing weekends and holidays. With the vision and power of the Holy Spirit imparted during the camp, we pray that the youth of Israel will rise as a community in Christ and begin to shine His light to the nations.