A bill aimed at providing additional benefits to Israeli minorities who served in the IDF or National Service passed the preliminary reading on Wednesday, 2 Teves, in the Knesset. The bill passed by a vote of 67 members of Knesset in favor and 17 members of Knesset against.

According to the bill submitted by MK (Bayit Yehudi) Moti Yogev, minorities who served in the IDF or National Service would receive employment preference in civil service and government positions from their counterparts who did not serve.

“Serving in the IDF is a declaration of loyalty to the State of Israel,” said Yogev. “Therefore, we have an obligation to reward those who choose to tie their fate together with the State of Israel in a blood pact, while endangering themselves for the state and its citizens.”

The bill explains that minorities who serve in the IDF or National Service, such as Druse, Bedouin, Muslims and Christians, often face violence and discrimination from their communities. “In light of this,” explains the bill, “this amendment [to the law] is a social reform that aims to encourage fair integration into Israeli society, and seeks to create social justice towards those who chose to serve.”

Additional MKs from various parties have signed on to the bill, including Yoav Kisch and Sharren Haskel (Likud), Elazar Stern (Yesh Atid), Meirav Ben-Ari and Yifat Shasha-Biton (Kulanu), Shuli Muallem (Bayit Yehudi) and Yoav Ben Tzur (Shas).

The idea of the bill first arose during a session of the Knesset Caucus to Promote Minority Enlistment in the IDF and National Service led by MKs Miki Zohar (Likud) and Meirav Ben-Ari (Kulanu), and initiated by the Zionist organization Im Tirtzu.

Matan Peleg, Chairman of Im Tirtzu that was involved in formulating the bill, said: “Strengthening and encouraging minorities who strive to integrate into Israeli society embodies the values of Zionism and is an important element for the continued existence of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.”

“We have an obligation to create real incentives and laud those who have chosen this path, in contrast to those who opt for isolationism and a continued battle against the State of Israel.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)