While more than 300,000 reserve soldiers were drafted, some are also thinking about those who stayed at home. Nineteen members of the Knesset wrote a letter to the Minister of Labor, Yoav Tzur, with a request to extend maternity leave for women whose husbands are on the front lines.
In a letter initiated by Member of Knesset Limor Son Har-Melech (Otzma Yehudit), the signatories wrote: "Since the outbreak of the 'Swords of Iron' war, which was imposed on us following the deadly terrorist attack from the Gaza Strip on the southern and surrounding settlements on Saturday, the 22cd of Tishrei 5784, we have received many requests to extend maternity leave for women whose husbands are on the front lines."
"Following the state of emergency declared by the State of Israel, around 300,000 men and women were called up for reserve duty. Among them are new fathers to infants born recently, whose wives remained at home alone during the height of their maternity leave. These women join the new mothers of active-duty and regular army personnel who have not yet returned from their maternity leave."
New mothers are forced to raise their baby alone away from their husbands
Knesset members further emphasize, "This situation, in which new mothers are forced to raise their infants alone, far from their husbands, presents them with numerous challenges in returning to their daily routine. Returning to a routine after childbirth is always complex, but in the absence of the supporting husband, both physically and emotionally, it becomes even more difficult. The woman must summon strength from within to care for the newborn while fully dedicating herself, and also continue raising her other children, if they exist, all without giving up the responsibility of maintaining the household, both physically and financially, almost on her own."
"This challenge is doubly intensified during wartime, where tension and anxiety are part of the lives of many citizens, and in certain cases, there is even a genuine concern for the husband's life." In conclusion, the Knesset members write, "We believe that extending maternity leave for these women constitutes a reasonable solution, as it can alleviate their financial burdens and contribute to their sense of security, and to the mental well-being of their families. Caring for these women is a national interest."
19 MKs: Extend the maternity leave
Furthermore, it is written, "Success on the front, in overcoming the enemy, depends, among other factors, not only on the Lord's assistance, for 'without the Lord's help, one cannot succeed,' but also on the well-being of the home front. When the home front is at ease, morale on the front lines is boosted. The father and husband on the front will be calmer if he knows that the state is taking care of his wife and children and, thus, he can focus on the battle as much as possible."
"Therefore," the Knesset members concluded, "we appeal to you, the Minister responsible for national insurance, with an urgent request to instruct the extension of maternity leave for women whose husbands are drafted during wartime or other designated periods."
The letter is signed by Knesset members Limor Son Har-Melech, Almog Cohen, Zvika Fogel, Yitzhak Kroizer (Otzma Yehudit), Keti Shitrit, Hanoch Milivitzky, Chava Eti Atia, Tzaga Malko, Osher Shkalim, Boaz Bismut, Ariel Kallner (Likud), Ohad Tal, Moshe Solomon (Religious Zionism), Yonatan Mashriki, Avraham Bezalel, Erez Malul (Shas), Michael Biton, Sharon Haskel (National Unity), Eliyahu Baruchi (United Torah Judaism).
