The bill to raise the minimum age for reservists has received the go-ahead to continue after being set to expire June 30, and will now be extended into September 30.
A one-year increment is set to lapse, with Israel's head legal officer permitting the expansion of the action notwithstanding issues of fairness in IDF enlistment.
The extension was only approved by Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, in response to pressure from Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who stated that the loss of manpower caused by the law's expiration would pose a "direct and immediate" threat to "the security of the state." She stated in a legal opinion that within three months of the extension, the state must resolve the issue of the unequal burden in military service.
She stated that there was a "legal impediment" to the extension until the problem could be resolved, but she acknowledged that a temporary extension was required for state security. Her position is at odds with the possible six-month extension of the bill.
This comes in the midst of a public and political objection over the inequality present in Israeli society regarding military service. As of late, the issue of ultra-orthodox men not serving in the military has come to the front, while the government has continuously allowed for military exclusions for yeshivah students.
During the Israel-Hamas conflict in December 2023, a law was passed to raise the age of mandatory reserve service from 40 to 41 for the majority of soldiers. Officers are set to finish their required reservist obligation at 45 years old are presently committed to serve until 46. Other soldiers with specialized skill sets had their minimum age raised from 49 to 50, including doctors and other prominent positions.
