The State of Israel Has Simply Gotten Used to Reserve Duty
The Israeli government quietly extended emergency orders for reserve mobilization until the end of September 2026. Reservists are serving over 110 days a year, more than double the promised amount, while the budget has not been adjusted. The author, attorney Amit Trakhtengut, head of policy at the Forum of Reserve Soldiers' Wives, criticizes the Prime Minister and Defense Minister and calls on them to create certainty and improve conditions.
The Israeli government quietly, almost secretly, approved the extension of emergency orders for reserve mobilization until the end of September 2026. The author, attorney Amit Trakhtengut, head of policy at the Forum of Reserve Soldiers' Wives, a reservist and mother of six, describes how the state has become accustomed to a fixed group of reservists, a few percent of the population, who bear the burden. In early 2026, the government approved a decision limiting reserve service to 55 days a year, but in practice reservists are serving over 110 days a year, more than double, and we are only in August. The budget has not been adjusted to the actual reserve days, and the government decision is frozen. Trakhtengut criticizes Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for not approving budget additions, including funding for resilience centers. She addresses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, calling on them to create certainty and a faithful picture of the situation, and to advance decisions that will protect those serving. She warns that taking the serving personnel for granted is an existential danger and declares that they will choose whoever creates certainty and protects the serving public.