Israeli Government Approves Economic Benefits for Soldiers Serving 32 Months Amid Service Length Debate

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have agreed to double the last two monthly stipends for soldiers who serve 32 months in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). This decision comes amid public discontent over the government's deal with ultra-Orthodox parties and will be presented for approval to the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee before a full parliamentary vote.

Previously, soldiers enlisting from July 2024 were scheduled to complete their service after 30 months by January 2027. However, the IDF warned that reducing service to 30 months could create a critical shortage of thousands of combat soldiers and increase pressure on the reserves. Consequently, a temporary order was made to fix mandatory service for men at 32 months.

The proposed amendment to the Security Service Law (Amendment 28) aims to compensate the "transition generation" serving 32 months with significantly increased living allowances, potentially doubling payments for the additional two months. The compensation will be differential, increasing closer to discharge and depending on the intensity of the service, with combat soldiers receiving higher pay. The proposal also includes additional discharge grants and deposits for each extra month served.

Officials emphasized that the compensation is balanced to reward extended service without creating disparities between different service populations or regular soldiers. Earlier reports revealed that plans to extend mandatory service to 36 months were canceled following public backlash and ongoing legislative efforts to freeze arrests of draft-dodging ultra-Orthodox men. The current arrangement maintains the 32-month service period for male soldiers.