High?Risk Transnationalism: Why Do Israeli?Americans Volunteer in the Israeli Military?*

This study investigates how second-generation Israeli Americans explain their voluntary enlistment in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). By using 63 interviews, I compare motivation narratives of three groups: IDF enlistees with a background Tzofim, an Israeli-Zionist youth movement U.S.; same participants who did not enlist; and no background. The findings illustrate importance that life circumstances, instrumental considerations, search for belonging have enlistment. Respondents whose future course was clear were more likely to opt college, while those without joined quest opportunities. Ideological motives mostly subsidiary, even less express them. brings together scholarship on migration nationalism sociological theory high-risk participation. It thus largely uncharted territory homeland military service among diaspora members, underexplored yet highly relevant topic current era mass migration. also offers novel contribution collective action as it attention two overlooked non-participants undergone socialization.