After decades of dispute, an agreement has finally been reached to compensate families of fallen IDF reservists from the establishment of the state until 1999. Addressing the Knesset Law Committee on Sunday 16 Cheshvan, Defense Minister Ehud Barak explained details of the agreement, which calls for a one-time 100,000 NIS payment in two installments, to the widows of the fallen reservists.

The Defense Ministry will allocate 250 million NIS to make the payments, which will be added to other benefits to the widows. The payment will be made to 883 families.

The widows realize the sum is still relatively low, since women whose husbands fell in the line of reserve duty after 1999 receive a payment of 260,000 NIS. Wives of pilots and career personnel who fall in the line of duty receive a one-time payment of 306,000 NIS.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)