Bennett's Party Proposes Bill Prioritizing Reservists Over Haredi Students
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
The 'Achva' faction, led by Naftali Bennett, has introduced a bill in the 26th Knesset prioritizing reservists with financial benefits and discounts, funded by reallocating budgets from religious seminaries. The proposal aims to provide reservists with stipends, reduced utility and transport costs, and housing assistance. This initiative is expected to cause friction with the Haredi community, as coalition talks led by Gadi Eisenkot continue, emphasizing universal service.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Naftali Bennett's 'Achva' faction proposed a bill prioritizing reservists over religious seminary funding.
- The bill offers reservists 4,000 shekels monthly for childcare, plus discounts on utilities and housing.
- Funding for the reservist bill would come from budgets currently allocated to non-serving households.
- The proposal is expected to create conflict with the Haredi community.
- Gadi Eisenkot reiterated his commitment to universal military and national service during coalition talks.
The newly sworn-in 26th Knesset saw the 'Achva - Led by Bennett' faction introduce its first legislative proposal: the Reservists Law. This bill, co-signed by all faction members, aims to reorder national priorities by placing active reservists at the forefront, funded by reallocating budgets currently designated for religious seminaries ('Olam HaTorah').
Under the proposed law, active reservists would receive a monthly stipend of 4,000 shekels for daycare or family daycare. Additional benefits include a 50% discount on electricity, water, and municipal property taxes (Arnona), as well as public transportation and state fees. The government would also be authorized to offer reservists a discount on their first home purchase. For discharged combat soldiers, tuition funding through the 'Dimensions for Studies' fund would extend to five years, or six years for those in engineering, medicine, and architecture, enabling master's degrees. Non-combat discharged soldiers would, for the first time, receive funding for half their tuition.
The faction stated that the funding for this bill would come from revising criteria and halting funds currently transferred to households not participating in military or civilian service. This move is expected to create a confrontation with the Haredi public, many of whose households do not participate in military service, and is explicitly intended to redirect funds from religious seminaries.
Naftali Bennett, head of the faction, stated, "Our principles are clear and we have been acting on them from the first moment. The bill we submitted... emphasizes our intentions: to invert the pyramid and place service members at the top of national priorities. Our reward for regular and reserve service members is a clear message to them and their families: we are committed to you." Eitan Ginzburg, chairman of the faction, added, "We committed to the public, and now we are beginning to fulfill and fix the country. The money goes to service members, and we are practically placing them at the top of the country's priorities. Together we will advance this bill until we achieve the necessary correction."
The proposal emerges amidst coalition negotiations led by Gadi Eisenkot. Eisenkot has affirmed his commitment to universal military and national service, stating, "I do not intend to set aside our conscience. Service for all citizens of Israel, we will not fold this flag." Meanwhile, Bennett reportedly indicated in a closed conversation that he does not rule out a partnership with Likud, despite his party's strong statement criticizing Netanyahu's "divisive speech."
