Growing Number of Foreign Nationals Serving in the Israeli Military, Indonesia Mentioned

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Official data from the Israeli military reveals facts that have sparked attention in Southeast Asia. Nearly 200 citizens from the region are recorded as serving in the Israeli armed forces, holding more than one passport, amid the ongoing Gaza war, which remains a focus of international law.

This information was obtained by the Israeli non-governmental organization, Hatzlacha, through Israel’s Freedom of Information Law, as quoted by Channel News Asia (CNA). Hatzlacha, known as a volunteer emergency medical service, obtained data showing that more than 50,000 Israeli military personnel hold dual citizenship or more than one passport.

Of this number, nearly 200 are from Southeast Asia. As of March 2025, there are 111 Filipino citizens, 71 Thai citizens, four Vietnamese citizens, two Singaporean citizens, and one Indonesian citizen registered as Israeli military personnel.

The largest group of dual citizens in the Israeli military come from the United States. At least 12,135 personnel hold dual Israeli-US citizenship, while another 1,207 have at least one additional passport besides Israeli.

After the US, the next largest group comes from France with 6,464 personnel with dual or more citizenships, Russia with 5,169, Germany with 4,193, and Ukraine with 3,266.

The data from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released and reported in mid-February 2026 also recorded hundreds of personnel from other Asian countries. There are 201 passport holders from India, 76 from Japan, nine each from Hong Kong and South Korea, seven from China, three from Taiwan, and two each from Nepal and Sri Lanka.

The emergence of this data has raised legal questions, especially regarding the potential criminal liability of foreign nationals in the Gaza conflict. Since October 2023, more than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war in Gaza, according to local health authorities.

Israel launched a large-scale military operation in Gaza after the Hamas militant group attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli data.

The US administration of President Donald Trump, in cooperation with Qatar and Egypt, successfully negotiated a ceasefire in October 2025.

In the field of international law, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza. Separately, allegations of genocide against the Palestinian population in Gaza are also being examined by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a case filed by South Africa.

So far, there have been no reports of convictions of dual citizens for war crimes in Gaza. However, legal complaints have been filed in several countries, including France, Italy, South Africa, and Belgium. Some authorities have even opened preliminary investigations.

In Singapore, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated to CNA that it was aware of foreign media reports stating that two Singaporean citizens were among those fighting for the IDF during the Gaza conflict.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) currently has no substantive information indicating that any Singaporean citizens are/were fighting as part of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces),” said a spokesperson for the ministry.

Singapore does not allow dual citizenship, although minors can hold two passports until the age of 21. The government can also withhold applications for the release of citizenship if male citizens have not completed their National Service obligations.

In Indonesia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on February 17, as quoted by CNA, that it could not immediately confirm or deny reports regarding one individual who was reportedly registered in the Israeli military.

Indonesia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and consistently supports Palestinian independence. Indonesia is also a member of the US-led Board of Peace.

Indonesia does not recognize dual citizenship for adults. Citizens who voluntarily acquire another citizenship may lose their Indonesian citizenship status. Children of mixed marriages can hold dual citizenship, but must choose one before the age of 21.

Munira Mustaffa, a principal consultant at the Malaysia-based security consulting firm, Chasseur Group, believes that a thorough investigation is needed to determine the context of the individual’s involvement, including whether the person is a trained combatant. “This is quite surprising,” she said.

Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, Director of the Indonesia-Middle East and North Africa desk at the Centre for Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS), said that Jakarta’s actions will depend heavily on certainty regarding the individual’s citizenship status before considering legal or diplomatic action.

“Indonesian citizens are not allowed to serve in foreign militaries unless the government gives permission,” he said, adding that the government’s response could be different if the individual was recruited through the Israeli military’s conscription.

According to a report by Al Jazeera, Israeli conscription law exempts dual citizens living abroad from this obligation.

Indonesia has previously revoked or declared the loss of citizenship for a number of Indonesian citizens who joined the ISIS militant group, which is designated as a terrorist organization.

This year, Indonesian authorities are also processing the revocation of citizenship for a former police officer suspected of joining Russian forces in Ukraine, as well as a former Indonesian marine who reportedly enlisted as a mercenary in Russia in 2025.

In the Philippines, dual citizenship is allowed and local law does not automatically criminalize