Hundreds of reservists protest reduction in days granted for personal affairs

Hundreds of IDF reservists sign a petition protesting a reduction in days granted to them for personal matters and transition back to civilian life.

The drawdown in those days was announced as part of a broader reduction in reservist callups this year. The military said earlier this month that it would reduce the number of days reservists are required to serve under routine call-up orders — as opposed to emergency ones — from 72 to 55.

Of the 55 days in reserve duty, 42 would be dedicated to operational activity, with the remainder being for training and organization. The move has angered some, as previously, reservists were given more time for organizational purposes, with the number depending on how many days they’re called up for and what unit they’re in.

The petition expresses “deep concern and displeasure” with the decision, which it says is a “significant blow to the reasonable trust of reservists, and is likely to cause significant personal and professional harm — specifically to those who reported for service out of a sense of mission and duty.”

The petition threatens to appeal to the High Court of Justice if the issue is not resolved.