“To prevent the discharge of soldiers.” The Knesset approves the extension of reserve service in the army

Yesterday, Monday, the Knesset General Assembly approved in the first reading a draft law temporarily raising the age of exemption from army reserve service, with the aim of “preventing the discharge of reserve soldiers who are close to the age of exemption and who are currently participating in combat.”

The Hebrew newspaper "Haaretz" said that 51 Knesset members (out of 120) supported the proposal, and 47 opposed it, as it stipulates that reserve soldiers should serve until the age of 41 years, instead of the current 40 years, and that reserve officers should serve until the age of 46 years instead of 45 years.

It also stipulates raising the age of exemption in some professions or jobs specified by a decision of the Minister of Defense in the Reserve Corps to 50 years, instead of 49 years, including combat doctors, paramedics, and technicians, according to the same source.

The draft law, presented by Communications Minister Shlomo Karei, on behalf of Defense Minister Yoav Galant, requires a vote on three readings to become an effective law. If this happens, the temporary legislation will be extended for 3 months, until September 30, 2024.

“Given the emergency mobilization and the significant contribution of reservists to combat efforts, the demobilization of thousands of reservists in combat and combat support roles could cause significant harm to the army’s operational efficiency and combat capability,” Karai said. He added: “Therefore, the Knesset approved, in a temporary measure, an amendment to the law that allows for raising the age at which the exemption will be granted by one year.”

It is noteworthy that about two weeks ago, Gallant requested approval to extend the law for 6 months, but after criticism from the government’s judicial advisor, Gali Beharev Meara, it was agreed to extend it for 3 months, as the current law regarding reserve service expires on June 30, so there is an urgent need. The new law will be approved this week in three readings, according to the same source.

On Sunday, the Israeli government approved the proposed law extending reserve service in the army, before voting on it on Monday evening, in the first reading.

In parallel, since last October 8, Palestinian and Lebanese factions in Lebanon, including Hezbollah, have exchanged daily bombardments with the Israeli occupation army, resulting in hundreds killed and wounded, most of them on the Lebanese side.

Israel continues this war despite a decision by the UN Security Council to stop the fighting immediately, and orders from the International Court of Justice to end the invasion of Rafah (south), and to take measures to prevent acts of “genocide” from occurring, and to improve the miserable humanitarian situation in the Strip.​​​​​