Did Ra'am always oppose laws benefiting the IDF?
Globes' fact-checking desk examines MK Ofir Katz's claim that Ra'am always opposes laws benefiting the IDF. The check finds the claim is false: Ra'am supported the conscription law, did not oppose the 'Uniforms to Studies' law, and supported the law to station soldiers in police and prisons.
Globes' fact-checking desk examines the claim of outgoing coalition chairman MK Ofir Katz of Likud that the Arab parties, particularly Ra'am, always vote against laws intended to benefit IDF soldiers. The check reveals the claim is false. During the term of the change government (2021-2022), in which Ra'am was a coalition member, party members supported several laws related to the IDF. Three of Ra'am's four members voted in favor of the conscription law proposed by then-Defense Minister Benny Gantz, although the law fell in its first reading. Ra'am did not oppose the 'Uniforms to Studies' law, which provided 75% tuition funding for released combat soldiers, though the legislative circumstances were complicated due to the loss of the coalition majority. Additionally, in December 2021, Ra'am chairman Mansour Abbas supported a law regulating the stationing of soldiers in police units and prisons. The article concludes that Katz's statements are incorrect.