The Israeli labor market rebounds from emergencies with growing speed, yet recovery statistics mask a troubling pattern. The same workers face repeated exclusion during each crisis, according to a new Employment Service report released this week. It examines employment trends across events from COVID-19 lockdowns through Operation Swords of Iron, the Twelve-Day War, and the 2026 Iran War.

The data shows that 71.3 percent of women displaced in the 2026 Iran War had already been affected by at least one earlier emergency in the past six years. Half endured harm in three or more such events, while more than a third experienced four or greater.

Employment Service analysts label this cycle the revolving door. It highlights how specific individuals, not merely broad groups, exit the workforce repeatedly. Women, those under age 34, and ultra-Orthodox workers rank among the most exposed.

Certain occupations carry elevated risk. Some 78 percent of personal caregivers who registered as job seekers in the 2026 Iran War had done so in prior crises. The figure reaches 75 percent among sales staff.

Roles requiring physical contact, public interaction, outdoor duties, or group settings suffer most in emergencies. In contrast, remote-capable positions act as protection. Comparisons between the COVID-19 era and the 2026 Iran War confirm that hybrid or remote flexibility reduces displacement risk.

Despite these concerns, the report notes faster recoveries overall. Return to pre-crisis job-seeker levels took roughly two years after COVID-19, one year after Operation Swords of Iron, four months after the Twelve-Day War, and even less following the 2026 Iran War.

Job-seeker numbers jumped 154 percent in March 2026 to 395.6 thousand from 155.4 thousand in February. By late May they had fallen 54 percent to around 180 thousand once restrictions lifted.

The Employment Service urges review of unpaid leave rules that prompt widespread exits and fail to address repeated harm. Suggested steps include partial-work options with income support, shared leave between partners, and wider remote arrangements to retain staff.

Director General Inbal Mashash stated that the revolving door inflicts lasting damage on rights, stability, and retirement savings. She called for immediate updates to safety measures through flexible leave models and remote-work expansion to strengthen resilience for all Israelis.