Israeli gov’t approves $800m in benefits for IDF reservists

The Israeli Cabinet approved a comprehensive benefits package totaling approximately 3 billion shekels (some $800 million) for active Israel Defense Forces reservists, Jerusalem announced on Sunday.

The initiative, led Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Defense Minister Israel Katz and Justice Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin, aims to strengthen support for reservists, their families and employers ahead of the expansion of IDF ground operations in the Gaza Strip.

The plan includes a wide range of financial and social benefits including tax credit points for reservists; grants for employers; priority in subsidized housing programs; grants for discharged soldiers; a “digital wallet” for welfare expenses of up to 5,000 shekels ($1,330); support for small businesses; streamlined access to civil service jobs; assistance for immigrant reservists; and priority in receiving government services, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

“Our reservists do everything for the country,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “We must give them everything. Our principle is simple: Those who contribute to the state will be generously rewarded.”

Smotrich noted that reservists have recently made “immense sacrifices” due to their belief in the security and future of the only Jewish state.

“They leave behind families, work and their normal lives to serve. The least we can do is provide them with a comprehensive support system,” he said. “Today’s package, including tax breaks, housing preferences and digital wallets, builds on previous allocations totaling billions.

“This is our way of saying: You give everything for us—we give you the strength and support to win,” the finance minister said.

Katz said: “The state embraces those who carry the burden and gives them the means to lead us to victory,” adding that reservists “bear the weight” of the ongoing seven-front war on the country’s borders.

“Today, we took another step in advancing justice for them—adding another 4 billion shekels, making a total of 20 billion shekels in support, not only for reservists but also for their families, children the wounded, and others connected to them,” the defense minister said.

On May 4, Israel’s Security Cabinet voted unanimously to expand the IDF offensive against the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip.

On March 2, the government authorized Katz’s proposal to issue an order allowing the head of the IDF Operations Directorate and the head of Recruitment and Standby to call up for service up to 400,000 reservists by May 29.