Smotrich Unveils Plan to Cut IDF Reserve Duty to 30 Days Annually by 2027

Religious Zionism party leader and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich launched the "Reservists Home" plan aiming to significantly reduce the annual reserve duty for Israeli soldiers to 30 days by 2027. The plan was presented at the party's reserve forces headquarters launch event, attended by hundreds of reservists, including officers ranked lieutenant colonel and colonel, who expressed support ahead of upcoming elections.

The initiative focuses on expanding the number of reservists to distribute the service burden more evenly, rather than extending the service time of current reservists. Smotrich highlighted a growing gap between the expanding security missions Israel faces and the available military manpower. The plan proposes addressing this by increasing the active personnel base and better utilizing existing forces.

Key components include immediately reintegrating approximately 50,000 soldiers currently not assigned to active reserve units, establishing new reserve frameworks, and improving soldier readiness. Additionally, the plan calls for a national program to recruit Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) soldiers, including funding pre-military preparatory programs, yeshiva frameworks, and expanding Haredi state education. It also suggests creating dedicated service tracks that respect Haredi lifestyles and providing support to Haredi soldiers and their families through grants, soldiers’ homes, and strengthened nonprofit organizations.

The third pillar involves legislating a "Basic Law for Servicemen," which would enshrine reservists’ status in law and grant them and their spouses priority in housing, daycare, academic studies, student housing, and government employment. Smotrich declared that implementing this plan is a condition for Religious Zionism’s participation in the next government.

He emphasized that the prolonged conflict has changed Israel’s security reality, requiring defense of more territory and more missions with fewer available forces. The solution, he said, is not to recall the same reservists for extended periods but to broaden the pool of servicemen and optimize current manpower. This redistribution aims to maintain security capabilities while allowing reservists to return to their families, jobs, and daily lives.