Bennett, Winter Unveil Plans to Boost Military Service and Reserves

With the Knesset elections approaching on October 27, Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Yamina Party, presented his "Serving Revolution" plan aimed at addressing the issue of ultra-Orthodox conscription. Speaking on Sunday, October 11, Bennett pledged significant economic benefits for military personnel, particularly reservists, while proposing to halt state funding for draft evaders. He criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for allegedly perpetuating draft evasion for political gain, stating that Netanyahu "is destroying the IDF" despite repeated warnings from the Chief of Staff.

Bennett's program includes substantial financial incentives for active reservists, such as up to one million shekels for a first apartment, a monthly NIS 4,000 subsidy per child for daycare, and a 50% discount on utilities, property taxes, water, public transport, and state fees. He asserted that these "life-changing benefits" would be funded by redirecting approximately 30 billion shekels from those who evade service, primarily from students in religious academies (yeshivas).

Furthermore, Bennett called for the complete abolition of draft exemptions, stating "zero exemptions." His plan also includes establishing a unified state education system for all Israeli children, with state financial support contingent on military service, employment, and children attending public schools. Bennett believes this would increase enlistment, boost the labor market, shorten reserve duty to 28 days annually, and integrate 1.5 million ultra-Orthodox individuals into the workforce, significantly increasing GDP.

Separately, the Amcha Yisrael Party, led by former IDF officer Ofer Winter, introduced its own military support program. This initiative prioritizes combat soldiers and reservists through legislative regulation, tailored service formats, and Defense Ministry oversight of religious institutions. A key proposal is a significant increase in soldiers' pay, potentially doubling it for combat troops by the end of their service.

Regarding ultra-Orthodox conscription, Winter's party proposes a different approach than Bennett's, allowing up to 25% of yeshiva students to receive official Torah scholar status and exemptions, with the quota determined by IDF needs. The party emphasizes a "give and receive" principle, linking state benefits to personal contributions like military service, national service, or recognized religious study. Winter stated his party would refuse to join a government without a prior law integrating ultra-Orthodox individuals into the IDF, vowing "what was, will not be repeated."