Knesset passes bill to extend mandatory military service to 32 months to 'meet IDF's goals'

Israel's Knesset approved a bill late Thursday to extend mandatory military service to 32 months, a move framed as essential for meeting the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) objectives and addressing security demands. The legislation, passed with 43 votes in favor, 12 against, and one abstention, will apply to individuals enlisting from June 2029, with their service ending in January 2032.

The bill's passage comes as part of a broader legislative effort by the ruling coalition before the Knesset's recess for upcoming elections. This period has seen a series of legislative advancements, particularly from ultra-Orthodox parties and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition. Critics argue that these advancements, including measures perceived to facilitate draft evasion, exacerbate the IDF's severe manpower shortage.

The explanatory notes attached to the bill emphasize the urgent necessity of extending regular service to fulfill the IDF's operational requirements. The decision to extend service, even temporarily, highlights the ongoing tension between political maneuvering and the military's operational needs in a challenging security environment.

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the extension of regular service within the framework of the temporary order is urgently required, in order to meet the IDF's goals and to respond to security needs.