'State fails to support Reserves'

"The State is failing to give IDF reservists the support and encouragement necessary for their service," Chief Reserve Corps Officer Brigadier-General Shuki Ben-Anat warned Tuesday.

Speaking before the Knesset Control Committee during a hearing on the Reserves' wartime readiness, Ben-Anat said that he was "concerned by the government's investment in the private sector versus the lack of investments in the Reserves."

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The hearing was called following complaints by reservists over outdated equipment, lack of weapons and uniforms and insufficient training.

Committee Chairman MK Uri Ariel (National Union) stressed the importance of the soldiers' reports, saying that the military's wartime readiness was a concern of the entire Israeli public.

Ongoing process (Photo: Michael Kremer)

"It is our duty as Knesset members to follow up on this and check for improvements, especially in the utilization of training hours," he said.

IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Major-General Yair Naveh said that "Since 2007 we are going through a massive, corrective work-plan. The IDF's core divisions are fully manned, to 120%-180%, but we do see a problem with none-combatant divisions. The emergency reserves have been fully restored."

The IDF, he added, "aspired to add two service days annually for each reservist. This is an ongoing process and we're still in the middle of it."

Colonel Oren Abman, head of the Ground Forces Division in the IDF's GOC Army Headquarters, said that the military "strictly maintains the Reserves' training programs, as well as upgrades the emergency reserves with communication technology, weapons, logistical and engineering equipment."

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