Digging for grants? (Illustration)
Photo: David Landes
Bill could lead discharged troops to join archeological digs
New bill will enable discharged soldiers to take on work at archeological digs and receive special NIS 10,000 grant as a recognized preferred place of employment
A new bill is seeking to recognize archeological digs as preferential employment that awards those employed in the sector benefits from the State.
According to the bill which was proposed by Knesset Member Ronit Tirosh (Kadima) together with MKs from the coalition and the opposition and in coordination with Youth for Jerusalem movement, the list of preferred employment will be updated to include the archeology branch.
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A newly discharged soldier seeking to be part of archeology projects will be referred to one of the organizations that work in the field and after a period of employment that lasts for more than six months, will receive a grant of close to NIS 10,000 ($2,700).
Dr. Uzi Dahari, Deputy Director at the Israel Antiquities Authority said on Saturday that the authority welcomes the bill.
"During Rabin's term in office archeological digs were considered places of preferred employment and the current prime minister is the one who cancelled that option," he explained.
"In any case, we are very pleased with the initiative. We can accept many discharged soldiers into our ranks – the work is not too difficult and there is a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment (to the job)."
"The purpose is to connect between the younger generation and the history of the Jewish nation," says MK Tirosh. "I see the utmost importance in that connection and hope many will enjoy its benefits."
The bill is set to come before the Knesset plenum during the summer session.
Danny Adino Ababa contributed to the report
