IDF soldiers and SLA personnel who fought in the Gaza Strip from September 1982 to May 2000 are expected to receive the signal • Defense Minister: "Opportunity to thank the fighters, there is no just act"
The security zone in southern Lebanon
Photo:
Reuters
After extensive staff work, Defense Minister Bnei Gantz yesterday (Thursday) put on the cabinet table the decision to award a campaign signal to IDF soldiers and SLA members who fought in the security zone in southern Lebanon.
This is due to their participation in the campaign in the security zone in Lebanon, from September 1982 to May 2000.
In addition, the Minister of Defense intends to submit to the Ministerial Committee for Legislation and Government Approval the Bill of the Military Persons of Southern Lebanon and Their Families (Amendment), 5721-2021, which will allow the signal of the campaign to be given to SLA members for their participation in the campaign.
The awarding of the battle medal to IDF soldiers will be done under section 7 of the Israel Defense Forces Decoration Law, 1970, and is expected to do justice to those who fought side by side with IDF forces in the security zone in southern Lebanon.
Defense Minister Ganz told Israel Today: "As the last soldier to leave Lebanon, it is a great privilege for me to continue to advance the process of awarding the battle signals for fighting in the security zone, and there is no just act of recognizing them for an entire generation that fought in Lebanon."
The defense minister added that "this is an opportunity to thank many fighters who have worked recently to advance this recognition, to Chief of Staff Kochavi who has worked on the issue and to the defense establishment and the IDF who are conducting accelerated staff work so we can give the signal near Memorial Day."
It will be recalled that last July a public committee was set up headed by former Chief of Staff, Lt. Col. (Res.) Shaul Mofaz, which examined the possibility of awarding the battle signal to servants during the Lebanese period.
Mofaz and Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi recommended that the signal be given, and last November, Defense Minister Ganz received their recommendation to give a battle signal to IDF soldiers who fought in Lebanon and a discount on promoting a response to SLA personnel as well.
Today, section 7 of the Israel Defense Forces Decoration Law, 1970, allows the Minister of Defense to award decorations only to IDF soldiers, and therefore legislation is required to give the signal to SLA personnel as well. The submission of the draft resolution and the draft bill for coordinated government approval With the Ministry of Justice, as well as its promotion during the election period.
Last month, we revealed in Israel Today that the Ministry of Defense intends to invest resources in honoring and commemorating SLA fighters. According to the plan, the monument in memory of hundreds of soldiers from the southern Lebanon army, whose cornerstone was laid in 2017, will be invested NIS 2.4 million from the defense budget. In cooperation with the JNF and its construction will be completed in about two months.
