A historical reservist’s act was enacted today after passing a second and third vote in the Knesset. The bill, the first of its kind, was created with the consultation of commanders and soldiers of the Reserves Corps. The bill will completely overhaul the Corps build up of forces and operations, creating a more effective corps and improving economic and general conditions for its soldiers. The Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Dan Harel, thanked the Knesset and Ministry of Defense Committee saying, “This new law addresses concerns in a Corps which make up the central strength of the IDF”.

The law states necessary changes in the reserves; amongst them, the buildup of forces, the forces operations, and restitution for those who serve in the corps.   Reservists will now receive a wage of 5,000 shekels ($1412) per month served.
The law also establishes that the training of the reserves will be based on the Chief of Staff’s suggestions and will be reviewed each year by the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. The army will set the standard for the training of the reservists, determine the equipment used by the reservists, and decide which exercises and special missions will be conducted by the Corps.
 
The proposal of the law came about as a result of the lessons learned in the Second Lebanon War and by suggestion of the Chief of Staff. The new bill regulates mandatory reserves service, its operations and the management of manpower. The bill also stipulates that a soldier who isn’t a commander or officer can be called up for duty for up to 54 days over a three year period. A commander who is not an officer can be called up for 70 days and officers up to 84 days. The bill also deals with soldiers being called up for duty during special circumstances.

“The new act expressed the appreciation and thanks owed to those serving in the Reserves Corps,” said Head of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, MK Tzachi Hanegbi. “Those who serve in the reserves carry a large burden. The act passed by the committee stresses the state’s obligation to show appreciation to reservists through actions and not words.”

“The passing of historic laws such as this are infrequent,” said MK Danny Yatom, a member of the Reservists Lobby. “This law is the first of its kind in the 60 years since the establishment of Israel. This law breaks new ground and I hope it will raise the motivation to serve in the reserves and will express how much the public appreciates the work of the reservists.”

The law will also provide other monetary advantages to reservists including a lower mortgage rate, priority for certain chosen apartments, and a 15 percent discount on weapons permits, entrance fees to nature preserves and national parks. Reservists will also receive priority in certain public positions, and other perks in all areas of Israeli society. Head of IDF Human Resources said that, “This law creates a proper balance between expressing appreciation to the reservists and tending to operational matters.”