Israel Defense Forces soldiers who serve in combat units become less hawkish and more open to compromise on security issues during the course of their service, a study released by Haifa University has found.

At the same time, women also undergo a political change, becoming more hawkish, a university spokesman said Thursday, confirming the findings.

The study, conducted by the university's School for Political Science, surveyed 490 male and female soldiers of every rank and in every branch of service.

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Respondents were asked to answer the same series of questions before induction, six months into their service and immediately after mobilization.

Initial interviews found that a large percentage of soldiers began their service with clear right-wing views. They were more right-wing six months into their service, but after demobilization took on more dovish views and were more willing to compromise.

In addition, the study found these soldiers adopted more conciliatory views toward minorities in general and toward Israel's Arab minority in particular.

They also underwent a greater change in their views on human rights than soldiers who began their service with less extreme views on the subject.

Woman soldiers, while becoming more right-wing and hawkish, also increased their support for the regulation of non-conventional weapons compared to male soldiers.

"It is important to note that although men underwent a greater change, their values were almost identical to women's in terms of concern for human rights at the end of their service, as they began with more extreme views," said Dr Zvika Barkai, who conducted the research.