An immediate discussion must take place on the rise in suicides within the IDF, nine MKs wrote to Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman.
Tuesday’s letter, initiated by MK Merav Michaeli, follows reports from Army Radio, which revealed that the IDF Manpower Directorate has refused to provide updated figures on suicides in the military.
It reported that despite repeated inquiries over recent months, – the IDF has insisted it will only release the data in January, forcing the public and lawmakers to wait another six months for official figures.
'Refusal to disclose data raises concern, undermines public trust in IDF'
“The very refusal to disclose the data raises concern and undermines public trust in the IDF,” the lawmakers wrote.
“We cannot wait half a year for the data to be published. In a reality where IDF soldiers, both men and women, are under unprecedented mental strain, there is an urgent need to clarify the situation and ensure that all measures are taken to prevent the unnecessary loss of lives of soldiers who need support and assistance.”
The letter highlighted a broader trend of growing concern about morale and mental health within the IDF since the start of the war.
According to figures cited in the letter, there were 38 cases of suicide between 2023 and 2024, and 21 in 2025 so far. The past two months alone have seen a 70% increase in suicides compared to the same period last year.
In their appeal, the MKs stated that these developments represent a significant erosion of discipline and cohesion within the IDF’s combat units, including elite forces that have faced sustained operational demands for months. The letter criticized what the lawmakers called a pattern of concealment by military authorities, warning that a lack of transparency risks further undermining public confidence.
“It is unacceptable to fight half a year of war while concealing the numbers,” the MKs wrote. “There are dozens of soldiers currently missing, and it is time to clarify the full extent of this troubling phenomenon and take steps to restore discipline and address the mental health needs of soldiers.”
The MKs called for a full, immediate update on the scope of suicides in the army and a discussion on measures to support soldiers’ mental health and prevent further tragedies.
The letter was signed by MKs Merav Michaeli, Sharon Nir, Hili Tropper, Ohad Tal, Limor Son Har-Melech, Ram Ben-Barak, Yoav Segalovitz, Amit Halevi, and Moshe Tur-Paz. The IDF has not yet publicly responded on the issue.