Reservists say government didn’t help their businesses as they fought in Gaza: ‘My fridge is empty’

There are angry scenes at the Knesset Finance Committee as reservists tell lawmakers their businesses are collapsing due to the lack of government help while they are fighting in the war against Hamas.

Lior Moshayev, who until a few days ago was fighting in Gaza’s Shejaiya, says that his business collapsed.

“My situation is a catastrophe. Every day I go out I don’t know how I will finish the day. I’m afraid to swipe my credit card to buy formula for my daughter,” says a clearly emotional Moshayev.

“I did not receive a shekel. The refrigerator is empty. I did not receive any grant. I risk my life every day. Bullets pass over my head. I risk my life to protect you and everyone. Is there anyone else here whose refrigerator is empty, any of you who have not received a salary?” he says.

“We didn’t think twice. We left everything on that first day [October 7]. We left our families, we abandoned our businesses and we went — I went to Gaza, and my brother went to the north,” he says.

When asked by a representative of the tax authority why he had not filed a claim for compensation, Moshayev noted to the committee that he was not permitted to take a cellphone to Gaza.

Officials admit that while many reservists have been helped, many have also fallen through the cracks.

In addition, the spouses of many reservists have begun to campaign to receive help to prevent their businesses collapsing also after many of them were left alone to care for children, sometimes with schools and kindergartens closed — for some two and a half months.

"אני מפחד להעביר אשראי לסימילאק של הילדה, המקרר ריק".
ליאור מושייב, בעל עסק בבאר שבע, קורס כלכלית מאז גויס למילואים ב-7 באוקטובר.
רגע לפני שהוא חוזר להילחם בתוך עזה, הוא הטיח בנוכחים בוועדת הכספים: "יש עוד מישהו שהמקרר שלו ריק? יש עוד מישהו שלא קיבל משכורת?"@Israel_MOF… pic.twitter.com/kHnwcbyVg0

— ערוץ כנסת (@KnessetT) December 25, 2023