The young people, many of whom recently finished their high school studies, were welcomed with songs, flags, and lots of excitement — and then traveled directly to Ashdod, where they began their first day at the "Gur Aryeh" pre-military preparatory program.

The Gur Aryeh preparatory program, established about a decade ago, is intended for French-speaking youth and accompanies them through the process of integrating into Israeli society, learning Hebrew, deepening Zionist identity, and preparing for meaningful service in the IDF.