Israeli Knesset Votes to Keep Mandatory Military Service at 32 Months for Men

The Israeli Knesset approved a law late Thursday night maintaining the mandatory military service period for men at 32 months, rejecting a planned reduction to 30 months. The Security Service Law amendment passed in its second and third readings with 43 votes in favor, 12 against, and one abstention. Some members from Shas and Degel HaTorah supported the bill.

The law prevents the previously scheduled cut from 32 to 30 months, which was set to take effect in January 2027. Soldiers who enlisted from July 2024 onward were expected to serve 30 months, with the first group due to be discharged in January 2027. Following the law's approval, their service will be extended by two months, keeping the duration at 32 months until June 2029. After that, the service length is expected to revert to 30 months unless the Knesset decides otherwise.

This extension applies to mandatory service for men and women who volunteer for roles with equal service durations. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had expressed that even 32 months is insufficient to address manpower shortages, advocating for a 36-month service period. IDF officials warned that the regular and reserve forces are reaching critical capacity limits.

The defense establishment cautioned that reducing service to 30 months would quickly create shortages of thousands of soldiers, including combat troops, necessitating increased reserve recruitment. Government Secretary Yossi Fox emphasized separating political disputes over ultra-Orthodox conscription from the immediate manpower needs of the IDF, warning that failing to approve the law would harm the military.

To compensate soldiers affected by the extension, known as the "transition generation" who enlisted expecting 30 months but will serve 32, the government agreed to increase their pay for the additional two months, with combat soldiers receiving the highest differential. They will also receive discharge grants and deposits for the extra service period.

The decision to maintain 32 months instead of extending to 36 followed public and political backlash, partly related to legislation freezing legal proceedings against yeshiva students exempt from service. The length of mandatory service has fluctuated in recent years, with a reduction to 30 months implemented in July 2020, reversed a year later, and then reinstated for those enlisting from July 2024. The new law effectively cancels the reduction for current and upcoming service cohorts.