A lone soldier (Hebrew: חַיָּל בּוֹדֵד, Ḥayal Boded) is a member of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) who does not have support in Israel, either because they do not have immediate family in Israel or they are estranged from their family in Israel. Lone soldiers serve in regular IDF units, including combat units, and receive special entitlements from the IDF, Israeli government ministries, and charity organizations, such as increased salaries, housing assistance, and additional leave.^[1] As of June 2022, there were approximately 7,000 lone soldiers from over 60 countries.

Lone soldiers are generally either non-Israelis of Jewish background volunteering under the Mahal or Tzofim Garin Tzabar programmes or immigrants under the Law of Return, although other possibilities exist (e.g., orphaned natives).^[2] According to an IDF spokeswoman, 8,217 personnel born outside Israel enlisted between 2009 and August 2012. The most represented countries of origin were Russia and the United States, with 1,685 and 1,661 recruits respectively.^[1]

In 2005, 80 percent of the 2,500 lone soldiers were from the former Soviet Union.^[3] As of 2014, there are about 2,800 lone soldiers in the IDF, one-third of whom from the United States and Canada.^[4] As of June 2022 that number had risen to 7,000 soldiers from over 60 countries.^[5]

Where a soldier's parents live in Israel, but he or she is not in contact with them, it is possible for him or her to be designated an "irregular lone soldier".^[6] In early 2011, The Jerusalem Post reported that about 46% of the approximately 5,000 lone soldiers in the military at that time had family in Israel but were estranged from them.^[7] An IDF adviser to lone soldiers told Arutz Sheva in 2012 that most of these were youths from Haredi religious backgrounds, shunned by their families for joining the army.^[8] Irregular lone soldier status can also be given if both of an IDF soldier's parents are working abroad for the Israeli government.^[6] If a soldier marries while serving in the IDF, he or she loses lone soldier status.^[6] A lone soldier's benefits are also at risk if his or her parents themselves move to Israel.^[9]

Michael Levin, born and raised in Pennsylvania, United States, moved to Israel in 2002, and joined the Paratroopers Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces. He was killed in action during the Second Lebanon War on 1 August 2006 in the Battle of Ayta ash-Shab.^[10] Levin's death received a great deal of attention; over 2,000 people attended his funeral on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.^[11] Levin had told of an idea for a center for lone soldiers which would provide them with meals, support, and advice. With the support of Tziki Aud, a Jewish Agency employee who had known Levin,^[12] a group of former lone soldiers established the Lone Soldier Center in memory of Michael Levin in 2009.^[13]

During the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, three lone soldiers were killed: Max Steinberg (from Los Angeles; a sharpshooter in the Gideon Battalion of the Golani Brigade) and Sean Carmeli from the United States and Jordan Bensemhoun from France. All three were killed in the Battle of Shuja'iyya.

Lone soldiers receive a higher basic salary from the IDF, as well as financial assistance from the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and the Ministry of Housing and Construction. They are also given help with housing and the right to extra time off, including 30 days per year to visit family overseas.^[14][6]

Beginning in 2001, the Jewish Agency for Israel ran Keshet, which flew the parents of lone soldiers to Israel for one week.^[15]

In 2024, the Saban Family Lone Soldier Home will open in Rishon Letzion, Israel, to provide housing for more than 200 lone soldiers.^[16]

According to the Lone Soldier Center in memory of Michael Levin, a lone soldier in the Israel Defense Forces has the following rights while serving:^[6]