Currently, minorities (i.e. Arabs), ultra-Orthodox Jews, and new immigrants receive preferred placement in admission to Israeli academic institutions. The Affirmative Action for Reservists in Academia Bill would grant IDF reservists the same benefits.
“If universities want to give privileges to minorities including Arabs, new immigrants and the haredim for diversity purposes, it’s their decision, but I want the same privileges to be given to those who sacrifice their lives for the people and the State of Israel,” Likud Knesset member Ariel Kallner, the legislation’s co-sponsor, told JNS on Tuesday.
“I think we are speaking about a moral and a very important bill. The people who serve our country don’t do it to get awards but they should not be penalized either,” he said.
“Those who leave their studies, their work, their families to put their lives in danger in order to protect our country should at least get the minimum back,” Kallner said.
The bill was presented in partnership with The Israeli Reservists—Generation of Victory movement, a group that lobbies government ministries and the Knesset to pass legislation that helps IDF reservists.
The proposed legislation also aims to end state subsidies for students who have not served in the military, prioritize reservists for admission to student dormitories and establish a legal tribunal to handle student appeals related to their reserve service.
Additional sponsors of the bill include Otzma Yehudit Party lawmaker Yitzhak Kroizer and Yisrael Beitenu’s Sharon Nir.
“We commend member of Knesset Kallner and the other lawmakers for advancing this significant legislation,” said Maj. (res.) Gilad Ach, chairman of The Israeli Reservists—Generation of Victory.
“The bill acknowledges the sacrifices of students serving in the reserves and includes them among groups receiving preference in admissions, dormitories and subsidies. It establishes a clear principle: Those who give more to the state are entitled to receive more from it. This is a victory for common sense,” he said.
