Defense Service Law (Amendment No. 26 – Temporary Provision – Swords of Iron) Bill

What does the bill do?

Alongside this, it was provided that the Minister of Defense may set, by order, with the approval of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, professions or positions for which an exemption will be given only at age forty-nine; whereas if the person has reached age forty or forty-five, as the case may be, they will be called up for reserve service only in their position or profession. In addition, this order will be given for a period not exceeding three years, and it can be extended for additional periods not exceeding three years each time. Under Amendment No. 26, due to the Swords of Iron war, it was decided that in the period from 21 Adar I 5784 (March 1, 2024) to 24 Sivan 5784 (June 30, 2024), the exemption age will be raised so that instead of forty it will be forty-one, and for an officer – instead of forty-five it will be forty-six. It was also provided that under such an order the exemption age will be fifty, with the person able to be called up for service from age forty-five or forty-six, as the case may be, only in their position or profession. In addition, a call-up for reserve service as stated will be made only for positions in the combat system, unless emergency circumstances apply under which state security requires calling up also those serving outside the combat system. It was further provided that a reservist who performed reserve service under this law will be entitled to special compensation from the first day until the 31st day of their service performed in the period from 20 Tevet 5784 (January 1, 2024) to 24 Sivan 5784 (June 30, 2024), without being liable to pay income tax on the compensation. In addition, a duty was set for the Minister of Defense to report to the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee at the start of each month preceding the reporting date on the matter of reserve service, starting from 22 Adar II 5784 (April 1, 2024), including the number of reservists called up for such service, the number of exemption orders from reserve service the Minister of Defense issued, and the alternatives examined for reducing the burden on reservists and the steps taken.