The government has approved a measure to extend mandatory service for male IDF soldiers to three years.
The decision, initially delayed due to a dispute between Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, will apply for the next five years, effectively covering eight years. Current soldiers and women in roles requiring service equal to men will also be affected. At the end of this period, the term will revert to 32 months.
According to Hebrew media, the Attorney General’s Office indicated that the legality of this measure hinges on its alignment with broader efforts to enlist the ultra-Orthodox and equalize the burden of military service across various sectors.
Former war cabinet minister Benny Gantz emphasized the necessity of the extension given current military realities but stressed the importance of an ultra-Orthodox service outline to eventually shorten and equitably distribute service time.
"He who has the courage to send soldiers into battle should also be expected to have the courage to endanger his coalition for the sake of Israel’s security," Gantz tweeted.
* The Times of Israel contributed to this article.