The 1949 Israeli Security Service Law makes conscription to military service compulsory for all citizens once they turn 18. Those exempted from mandatory service are the ultra-Orthodox and Arab Israelis. However, according to Avi Jager in (Oct 18, 2018), the army is becoming smaller and more professionalized and draft evasions are growing, with only 35% of the population serving in the military and 65% not participating in compulsory service, much of which is due to an increase in the population of those exempt.