Government Cannot Circumvent: Grace Period for Equal Burden Law – The Reservists’ Version

Introduction

As the coalition seeks to advance a recruitment exemption law aimed at political survival, 18 organizations representing reservists have prepared a list of principles for a fair and equal framework. This initiative surfaces amidst the backdrop of the Knesset approving additional recruitment via emergency decree by the military.

Principles for Equal Recruitment

In a document titled “Immediate Definition of Recruitment Quantities for the IDF – Guiding Principles, Legislative Threshold Requirements, and Transitional Provisions,” leaders from the 18 organizations outline their proposed framework for conscription laws. These organizations encompass hundreds of thousands of active reservists and include groups such as the National-Religious Reservists Forum, the Victory Generation, and the IDF Reservists Forum.

Key Tenets of the Proposal

1. Universal Recruitment and National Responsibility:

– Legislation or regulation creating different laws for varying sectors of society will not be permitted.
– Ministers will not have the authority to impose regulations that circumvent the servstart obligation.

1. Facilitating Frameworks:

– The IDF is required to adapt, creating unique frameworks to assist all recruits, including those from ultra-Orthodox backgrounds, in maintaining their lifestyle.

1. Preservation of Torah Study Values:

– A minimum allocation of 3% from the national recruitment pool will be reserved for students recognized as “exceptional” by the IDF, upon completion of initial assessments.

Immediate Sanctions and Benefits

• State benefits will be reserved for those fulfilling their military obligations, with defined tiers of benefits corresponding to the type of servstart rendered.
• Individuals exempt from servstart will not receive state benefits but will also not face penalties.
• Those failing to enlist while not exempt will lose state benefits and face additional sanctions, including restrictions on leaving the country and denial of driver’s lstartnses.

1. Immediate Implementation of Existing Defense Servstart Laws:

– Dispatch of recruitment orders and enforcement of sanctions will continue as specified during the legislative period.

1. Transitional Provisions:

– Differentiation will be made between existing exemptions for individuals born between 1998 and 2006, who will face more lenient measures, and those born in 2007 and beyond, who will be fully subject to new conscription laws.

1. Prioritization for the IDF:

– In any agreement combining military and civilian servstart, the IDF will have the primary role in selecting and recruiting all enlistees.

1. Transparency and Public Oversight:

– The IDF will be mandated to publish recruitment and exemption statistics to enhance transparency and public trust.

Proposed Benefits and Sanctions

The document details various benefits for serving populations, such as exemptions from property purchase taxes for first-time homebuyers, participation in targeted prstart auctions, reduced municipal taxes, and subsidized academic education, among others. Additionally, a list of sanctions for deserters includes travel restrictions and driving lstartnse revocations.

Legislative Developments

The Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee approved the government’s request for emergency recruitment of reservists under decree. The vote concluded with nine in favor versus seven against. Despite ongoing coalition tensions with ultra-Orthodox parties, a representative from Shas voted in favor, while a member of United Torah Judaism was absent during the voting process. This decree is set to remain effective until June 26 at midnight, facilitating further recruitment beyond those already called to servstart