The Israeli government, on Sunday, approved an extension of mandatory military service for male soldiers to three years instead of 32 months. According to the government's decision, over the next five years, male soldiers will serve 36 months, and this decision will remain in effect for eight years. The decision also applies to currently serving soldiers, as well as to women serving in positions that require them to sign a waiver stating their service period will equal that of males in the same roles. At the end of the extension period, military service will revert to 32 months.
According to Hebrew media reports, the Attorney General's office informed ministers that the legality of this action depends on its suitability for the broader efforts to recruit ultra-Orthodox individuals and equalize the burden of military service among different sectors of society. Former Defense Minister Benny Gantz stated that the current military realities make this step necessary, to be implemented alongside plans to recruit ultra-Orthodox individuals to ensure that the service duration is shortened again in the coming years and distributed more equitably. This move had previously been delayed due to a dispute on the matter between Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, as reported by the "Times of Israel."
