Bennett and BeYachad Party Submit Sweeping Reservists Bill to Knesset
BeYachad party led by Naftali Bennett has submitted the Reservists Bill to the 26th Knesset, proposing sweeping financial benefits, tuition funding, and tax discounts for IDF soldiers and reservists.
Following the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset, the BeYachad party led by Naftali Bennett submitted its inaugural legislative initiative, dubbed the Reservists and Servicemen Bill. The party announced on Wednesday that the core focus of the proposal is restructuring the national priority pyramid and placing active-duty and reserve personnel ahead of draft evaders.
The bill, bearing the signatures of all BeYachad faction members, stipulates that the state will subsidize active reservists with 4,000 shekels per month for daycare or nursery facilities. In addition, active reservists will receive a 50 percent discount on electricity, water, and municipal property taxes, alongside a 50 percent reduction in public transportation fares and state fees. The legislation also empowers the government to grant reservists substantial discounts on purchasing their first apartment.
For discharged combat soldiers, tuition funding via the Dimmim LeLimud fund will be expanded to five years, and to six years for engineering, medicine, and architecture degrees, enabling veterans to finance graduate studies. Non-combat discharged soldiers will receive state funding for half of their tuition fees for the first time. The party stated that funding will be secured by reallocating state criteria and halting funds currently channeled to households that do not participate in military service or the workforce.
Naftali Bennett emphasized the party's core mission following the submission:
"Our principles are clear, and we have been acting upon them from the very first moment. The bill we submitted upon the swearing-in of the Knesset underscores our intentions: to flip the pyramid and put those who serve at the top of the national priorities.»
BeYachad faction chairman MK Eitan Ginzburg added that the faction is committed to fulfilling its promises to the public and rectifying longstanding imbalances. He stressed that funds are finally being redirected to those who serve, ensuring they occupy their rightful place at the top of the national agenda.
