Knesset backs bill doubling soldiers' grants
Legislation aiming to gradually double sum granted to combat troops passes second, third Knesset readings
The Knesset plenum has unanimously passed a bill proposing to double the discharge grants given to IDF combat troops. The legislation, which was proposed by Yisrael Beiteinu, has passed its second and third readings on Monday.
As per the proposal, the bonuses granted to combat troops upon completing their three-year mandatory service is to be incrementally raised from NIS 9,648 ($2,500) to NIS 20,000 ($5,200) by 2016. Soldiers serving in combat-supportive roles and Sherut Leumi are also to receive higher discharge grants.
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The measure was one of the concessions offered to Avigdor Lieberman's party in exchange for its support for the Trajtenberg Report – a plan that urges the government to boost free education for young children, increase affordable housing and cut military spending.
"The bill is yet another step towards fulfilling our duty to the citizens who serve the State and shoulder the burden," MK Moshe Matalon, who proposed the bill, said Monday. "This reform will allow young people to start their lives in a financially-balanced way, and provide relief to parents who must support their kids even after they have flown the nest."
Matalon added that the bill is a first in series of measures aimed to restructure the "national priorities" and reward "productive" sectors of the population.
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