National Unity offers conditional support for bill to extend mandatory army service

The opposition National Unity party lists its conditions for supporting a bill to extend mandatory military service for males to three years.

First, it says, the bill must be a temporary measure for two years, “until the recruitment rates from among all populations, including the ultra-Orthodox society, are increased.” In its current form, the measure will last for the next five years.

Second, it requests that combat and combat-support soldiers, who must serve 36 months under the law, be given a significantly higher compensation for their service, equal to that of soldiers who sign on for a career service.

Third, the party requests the military send out recruitment orders for ultra-Orthodox and Arab citizens for IDF and other forms of national service.

MK Gideon Sa’ar tells reporters he will support the bill in its current form.