Last update - 00:00 30/12/2007
Knesset panel approves watered-down benefits package for reservists
By Moti Bassok and Mijal Grinberg, Haaretz Correspondents
A ministerial committee approved Sunday a series of benefits for Israel Defense Forces reserve soldiers, most of which were more gestural than practical.
The benefits package includes discounts on flying licenses, entry to the Morasha beach, tickets to soccer and basketball games and grants to study at ORT vocational schools. The committee, specifically designated to deal with the welfare of reservists, did not grant income tax and municipal tax benefits.
The reserve soldiers forum criticized the decision as "offensive," saying the benefits "get smaller and smaller from one [ministerial] session to another. There is no need to get involved in a benefits package, but there is in dealing with a [comprehensive] reserve duty bill."
The approval of the benefits package follows heavy pressure from IDF officers in the reserves, and was spearheaded by the Defense Ministry, under the direction Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai.
Most of the planned benefits were left out. A substantial number, which were discussed at the ministerial committee, have yet to be finalized, due to opposition from various directions.
A benefits program of more financial significance was abandoned due to opposition from the Treasury and other sources. It would have given breaks on income, municipal and vehicle taxes, as well as an exemption from the television license fee.
The soldiers' organization said that the decision was originally meant to "bring a program to its implementation, and not just send government ministries to look at proposals."
"Reservists have to be compensated for the real cost of a day of reserves, and to be rewarded in a reservists fund every day of duty," the forum stated.
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