Fighters' salaries will double and 75% of the Haredi recruitment cycle to service: Winter's plan revealed
The 'Amcha Yisrael' party, led by Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter, presents the 'Servicemen's Plan': the number of yeshiva students recognized for deferment will not exceed 25% of the Haredi recruitment cycle. The plan includes doubling fighters' salaries toward the end of their service, adapted recruitment frameworks for Haredim, and a defense system for recruits.
The 'Amcha Yisrael' party, led by Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter, presented on Sunday the 'Servicemen's Plan', which focuses on changing the recruitment and compensation model for those serving in the IDF and national service. The central clause stipulates that the number of yeshiva students recognized as Torah scholars will be determined by the security system's needs and the IDF's absorption capacity, and will not exceed 25% of the Haredi recruitment cycle — a service target of at least three-quarters of the cycle. The plan is based on three components: legislation and rewards for servicemen, establishment of adapted service frameworks in the IDF, and enforcement and supervision by the Ministry of Defense over Torah study frameworks. The stated principle: 'Give - receive; don't give - don't receive'. Every citizen of service age will be required to regulate their status in one of three tracks: service in the IDF, national-civil service, or study in a recognized and supervised Torah framework. Regular soldiers' salaries will increase, and fighters' salaries will double toward the end of their service. According to the plan, legislation will be advanced as a single binding framework before the next government is sworn in, and will be anchored in the coalition agreement and budget. The Defense Minister will determine the tracks and will be required to report to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee once every six months. The plan sets a higher bar than the Bismuth outline, which set a gradual target of about half of the Haredi recruitment cycle. The plan was formulated by Winter, Lali Deri, and Aviv Ezra.