Bismuth presents temporary order to Knesset plenum, extending service to 32 months and raising salaries

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee MK Boaz Bismuth presented the temporary order to the Knesset plenum overnight, extending mandatory military service from 30 to 32 months and raising soldiers' salaries. The Knesset later gave final approval to the order, as The Zioneer reported.

Overnight Thursday, MK Boaz Bismuth, chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, presented the temporary order to the Knesset plenum, extending mandatory military service from 30 to 32 months and raising soldiers' salaries. The presentation came hours before the plenum gave final approval to the order, as The Zioneer reported in a series of updates beginning at 23:51 Jerusalem.

The Knesset's final approval of the 32-month service was reported in multiple updates from The Zioneer starting at 23:51 Jerusalem, with the vote recorded at 00:04. The measure passed with 43 votes in favor and 12 opposed, with the support of Haredi MKs. The legislative process began earlier: on July 14, the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee voted 8-1 to approve the temporary order, advancing it to the plenum. The government had previously signaled a compromise at 32 months, rejecting both the IDF's request for 36 months and proposals to cut service to 30 months, as The Zioneer reported on July 6.

The extension addresses a growing personnel shortage in the IDF, which has warned of a 'critical' crisis if service length is not maintained, as The Zioneer reported on June 10. The order also includes a salary increase for conscripts, a key demand of lawmakers.

With the final approval, the temporary order is now in effect. Further debate on a permanent extension to 36 months is expected after the next elections, as The Zioneer reported on July 2.

7 developments

1. 1 hour ago · 00:38 · 17 JulLatest

   Knesset grants final approval to the 32-month mandatory service extension.

2. 00:36 · 17 Jul

   MK Boaz Bismuth presented the temporary order to the Knesset plenum.

3. 00:04 · 17 Jul

   Vote passed with 43 in favor and 12 opposed.

• Developing3 days ago · 06:46 · 14 JulKnesset panel votes 8-1 to keep mandatory service at 32 months
• Strong21:29 · 6 JulDraft crisis solution emerges: 32-month service stays, no cut or extension
• Strong15:58 · 2 JulGovernment secretary: fix 32-month service now, defer 36-month debate until after elections
• Developing15:34 · 25 JunIDF Personnel Chief calls for extending mandatory service to 36 months

Source and signal

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