Not alone: The Cabinet approved today (Sunday) the reserve plan of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Yoav Galant totaling NIS 1 billion. Among the measures that were implemented immediately: NIS 5.200 billion for grants, of which NIS <> million for a red track for self-employed reservists.
Netanyahu said: "The reservists will receive the money without delay. They are true heroes – they left home to protect all of our homes."
Cabinet approves Netanyahu, Smotrich and Galant's reserve plan: Celebrate reservists and their families" // Itai Beit On /GPO, Sound: Ben Peretz /GPO
The plan, worth NIS 1 billion, will be implemented in three phases. As part of the current phase, NIS 5.3 billion was allocated for a broad grant and a family grant for November-December, a grant that can reach up to NIS 900,300 for a reservist with a family. In addition, a grant was approved for parents of children with special needs, business consulting, raising the compensation for combatants to a minimum of NIS 200 per day and an additional NIS <> million to the red compensation track for self-employed reservists.
In the coming days, when the government convenes to approve the state budget for 2024, the two additional phases will begin, with the second phase starting immediately after the approval of the state budget by the government.
As part of the second phase, a broad grant will be provided, among other things, for January, an alternative response to unemployment benefits and unpaid leave and unpaid leave for spouses, and an emotional and family response.
The political-security cabinet discussion at the Kirya in Tel Aviv (archive), photo: Haim Tzach/GPO
As part of the third phase, an IAI grant and a rear reserve grant will be provided, family leave, social indemnity for employers, an expanded home economics grant, tuition fees for students, expansion of the Salute Club, continued special compensation beyond the 60th day and assistance in the field of housing.
The anchor for the revised budget
Upon approval of the plan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "The plan includes grants, discounts and benefits for reservists and their families – for daughters and spouses as well as children, and for self-employed reservists. I say this because it's important that they get that support."
"These grants to reservists are the anchor for the revised budget that we will submit to the government in the coming days. I instructed the Finance Minister and Defense Minister not to wait for the budget to be passed, but to bring budgetary sources to the government's decision today that enable the launch of the program and its immediate implementation."
Netanyahu at the Cabinet meeting, photo: Miriam Elster/Flash90
"I want the reservists to receive the money without delay. They are true heroes - they left home to protect our home. On behalf of all of us, I salute our wonderful soldiers who keep us all safe. I would like to thank the Finance Minister and the Defense Minister for detailing the details of the plan."
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said it was one of the most important decisions made since the beginning of the war. "An important security and moral decision. We, as a society and as a country, celebrate and prioritize those who left everything and went out to defend their homes, and those who serve in the reserves and their families. The State of Israel puts the reservists and their families at the center and this is the anchor of the 2024 budget that we will bring this weekend."
Finance Minister Smotrich: "NIS 1.5 billion will be transferred immediately to grants to reservists"
"We met the fighters and reservists, their families and the children. We listened and learned and a lot of ideas came up in addition from government ministers, and I thank you for that. Much of the plan happens immediately and certain elements will happen later. The people of Israel are winning together and fully backing the fighters on the ground."
Defense Minister Yoav Galant also said that this is a far-reaching plan for reservists. "Hundreds of thousands of citizens did not ask questions, but leaped into the field, sometimes even before they were called, and since then they have been there – in the south, in the north, in Judea and Samaria. The reservist is required to have three conditions: clear missions, military resources to carry out the missions and appropriate remuneration – the plan we are approving by the government puts the reservists at the center and tells them and their families: You are not alone."
Reservists near the Gaza Strip border (archive), photo: Shmuel Buchris
"The reservists risk their lives and tell me on every visit to the field: We are here and we will continue to be here as long as necessary. The Reserve Recruits program ensures that they can concentrate on their mission, without having to worry about their family and work."
The reserve plan of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Yoav Galant will be submitted to the government for approval today. As stated, the plan will be implemented in three phases, with the first phase already underway today, with government approval, and the next phases will be upon approval of the 2024 budget by the government and the Knesset.
The steps that will be implemented after today's cabinet meeting: a broad grant and a family grant for November-December, a grant for parents of children with special needs, business consulting, a red track for self-employed reservists, and an increase in minimum remuneration.
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