Finance Minister Smotrich Faces Criticism Over Limited Reserve Duty and Education Reform Plans

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich recently outlined two key reform plans ahead of the upcoming elections: changes in the education system and reserve military service reductions. His education reform proposes allowing middle and high school principals to hire up to 6% of their teachers on personal contracts with salaries up to 20,000 shekels, about 2,000 shekels more than current caps. While this is seen as a positive step toward improving teaching quality, critics argue the small quota entrenches the status quo for the remaining 94% of teachers, who remain protected by seniority-based pay and union safeguards. The timing of the announcement, just 70 days before elections and two weeks before the school year starts, fuels suspicions that it is election propaganda rather than a serious reform.

The second plan, dubbed "Reservists Go Home," aims to reduce reserve duty days to 30 annually, which was already the standard before October 7, excluding officers and some exemptions. The plan also seeks to increase the number of reservists by 50,000, focusing on those currently not serving due to unit inactivity. However, the proposal faces skepticism given ongoing declines in reservist participation and the army’s manpower shortages amid security challenges. Promises to recruit more ultra-Orthodox soldiers rely on incentives rather than sanctions, raising doubts about effectiveness.

Additionally, Smotrich intends to legislate a "Serving Soldiers Law" to prioritize reservists in housing and higher education benefits. Yet, critics note his prior support for funding exemptions for draft evaders contradicts these promises. The plan’s feasibility is questioned, especially considering Israel’s security needs and political ambitions like resettling Gush Katif and Bashan, which require increased military manpower.

Overall, analysts view Smotrich’s proposals as largely symbolic efforts to bolster his party’s electoral standing rather than substantive policy changes. His previous four years in office have not delivered significant improvements in education or reserve service, leading to skepticism among his potential voter base, particularly within the national-religious community. The reforms appear more as election tactics than genuine solutions to Israel’s educational and security challenges.