Finance Minister Smotrich Proposes Reservist Burden Reduction Plan with 30-Day Annual Limit

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich unveiled a new plan on Thursday aimed at easing the burden on military reservists by reducing their annual reserve duty to 30 days by 2027. Smotrich, who served four years as Defense Minister and recently promoted laws favoring draft evaders, said he had avoided addressing this issue earlier due to opposition from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The plan, called "Reservists Home," seeks to expand the pool of reservists and distribute duties among more soldiers rather than relying heavily on a fixed group. It also addresses the growing gap between the IDF's expanding security tasks and its available manpower.

The proposal includes immediately reintegrating approximately 50,000 soldiers currently not assigned to active reserve units, establishing new reserve frameworks, and improving soldiers' readiness. Smotrich also promised a national recruitment program for Haredi Jews, featuring preparatory frameworks, expanded Haredi state education, and service tracks that respect their lifestyle.

Additionally, the plan calls for legislation enshrining reservists' status in a Basic Law under the principle "first to equality," granting them and their spouses priority in housing, daycare, academic studies, student dormitories, and government employment. Smotrich acknowledged resistance from the IDF, recounting that when he proposed efficiency improvements, the military told him, "Don't manage my army, I won't manage your treasury."

Smotrich emphasized that the plan would be a condition for his party's participation in the next government. He highlighted the changed security reality with more territory and missions but fewer available troops, insisting that the solution is to increase the number of reservists and better utilize existing forces to reduce individual burdens and allow reservists to return to their families and jobs while maintaining Israel's security.

Previously, in late 2025, the Finance and Defense Ministries had considered reducing reserve duty to 55-69 days annually to cut costs and ease public burden, but this did not materialize. Smotrich's new plan aims for a more significant reduction and structural changes to the reserve system.