IDF suggests plan that will determine term of service by position, not gender and shortened service by 4 months.

By Yoav Zitun

An IDF plan aims to see male and female soldiers serving for the same amount of time with the length of service determined by their position, and not their gender.

Swearing-In Ceremony of IDF’s Nachal Brigade at the Kotel – Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

IDF officers presented a plan to shorten men’s army service by four months to 32 months at the committee for the Promotion of Equal Share of the Burden on Monday. If approved, the change will become effective as of July 2015.

The plan also seeks to alter shortened service programs and will see some soldiers performing missions that are civilian in nature.

The IDF representatives said at the meeting the army is willing to draw up a plan to shorten army service as agreed upon in the coalition agreements but asked that service of hesder yeshivot and Nahal Haredi soldiers be extended to enable it.

The IDF is demanding that the plan not compromise the defense budget and said that shortening army service under this model will see Israel‘s economy gain some NIS 1.5 billion.

Last week, Minister Amir Peretz demanded that the service of soldiers from hesder yeshivot be extended.

Minister Uri Ariel voiced his opposition and Ya’alon asked the defense establishment draw up two alternatives. It should be noted that Peretz’s proposal did not win the support of other ministers.

Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said that Chief of Staff Benny Gantz ‘s plan will be put up for cabinet approval.

A Defense Ministry statement clarified that the plan will not include extended reserve service for reservists.

View original Ynet publication at: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4376619,00.html