Amit Segal (N12) reports that the Knesset has approved the bill keeping mandatory military service at 32 months. The vote passed with 43 in favor and 12 opposed, as The Zioneer reported earlier tonight.
Amit Segal (N12) has confirmed the final vote tally of 43 in favor and 12 opposed, after The Zioneer's initial reports at 23:51 Jerusalem indicated the Knesset passed the bill to keep mandatory service at 32 months. The vote, which took place just before midnight, finalized a legislative blitz to prevent any reduction in IDF service length.
The Zioneer's coverage began at 23:51 Jerusalem, first citing N12's Daphna Liel that the decision passed with support from Haredi MKs. Within minutes, the Zioneer updated with the exact vote count and the final readings. The bill's passage follows a committee vote on July 14, when the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee approved the temporary order by 8-1, as The Zioneer reported at 06:46 Jerusalem. The government had signaled its intention to fix the 32-month term and defer the 36-month debate, as The Zioneer reported on July 2, citing Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs.
The IDF has long requested a 36-month extension to address personnel shortages and reduce the burden on reservists, as The Zioneer reported on June 25, citing the IDF Personnel Chief. The government, however, prioritized a quick legislative fix ahead of the electoral cycle, deferring the broader debate.
The question of extending mandatory service to 36 months remains deferred, and the IDF's request is still pending. The conscription crisis and reservist burden continue to be pressing issues, with military officials warning that legislative delays will force continued reliance on reservists through 2027, as The Zioneer reported on July 2.
7 developments
- DevelopingKnesset panel votes 8-1 to keep mandatory service at 32 months
- StrongDraft crisis solution emerges: 32-month service stays, no cut or extension
- StrongGovernment secretary: fix 32-month service now, defer 36-month debate until after elections
- DevelopingIDF Personnel Chief calls for extending mandatory service to 36 months
Source and signal
- Internal intake