Israeli Government to Approve Rehabilitation Plan for IDF Disabled Veterans Soon

The Israeli government is set to approve a comprehensive rehabilitation plan for disabled Israel Defense Forces (IDF) veterans in the coming days, following directives from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This decision follows the final stages of adopting recommendations from the public committee led by Professor Mor Yosef, which reviewed national responses to the treatment and rehabilitation of injured IDF and security forces personnel.

A professional discussion took place under the leadership of Drorit Steinmetz, Deputy Director-General of the Prime Minister's Office, involving all relevant government ministries. The meeting examined the professional and budgetary aspects necessary to formulate a government decision that will strengthen the care, rehabilitation, and support systems for disabled IDF veterans and security personnel.

The recommendations were previously presented to Defense Minister and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who instructed professional teams, in cooperation with the Prime Minister's Office, to prepare a government resolution adopting these recommendations and providing a comprehensive response to the needs of disabled veterans.

Earlier reports revealed a dispute over funding, with Finance Minister Smotrich sending an urgent letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu demanding that the rehabilitation program be integrated into the multi-year defense budget. Smotrich emphasized the importance of personnel in the IDF's strength and criticized the exclusion of the committee's recommendations from the current budget plan, calling for concrete action beyond verbal commitments.

In response to the funding delays, the Disabled IDF Veterans Organization requested police permission to hold a protest outside the government meeting in Jerusalem, warning that excluding injured veterans from the budget framework violates commitments and endangers their future. Organizers warned that failure to immediately approve and fund the committee's recommendations could lead to a national disaster.

Officials close to the Finance Minister clarified that the letter was intended to support the veterans' cause rather than respond to the planned protest. The Prime Minister's Office stated that the staff work is expected to conclude soon, with the government decision to be presented for approval within days.