Remarks by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Defense Israel Katz, and Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich at the government meeting following the approval of the 2026 Reserve Service Personnel Assistance and Appreciation Program, totaling NIS 6.2 billion:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
“We have now completed two years of the ‘War of Uprising.’ In this war, Israel has astonished with its actions and astonished our enemies with its blows. The thing that most astonishes foreign leaders I speak with, I explain to them that the majority of the army fighting is reserve service personnel. The regular army and career soldiers are doing a wonderful job, but the thing that amazes them the most is that hundreds of thousands of the fighting and supporting army are reserve service personnel.
They give their all, and we must give them our all. And today, following the grants we have already given them and their families, the government is approving today an additional special assistance program for reserve service personnel for the coming year. A program that will amount to NIS 6.2 billion, and the program will reward the service personnel according to the nature of their service, and foremost among them our fighters. They stand on the front lines – and we stand with them and will continue to support them. I would like to thank the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Defense for the excellent, integrated work to bring this support and to bring it as soon as possible.”
Minister of Defense Israel Katz:
“Thank you to the Prime Minister, first of all, for the backing and support for this entire endeavor, thank you to the Minister of Finance for the joint work that is not taken for granted. You received praise for the previous section on this matter as well. We see, Mr. Prime Minister and all the ministers of the government, we see the reserve soldiers before our eyes. First of all, we made a very important and not obvious decision – we reduced the number of reserve duty days to 40,000 instead of 60,000, to ease the burden on reserve soldiers. This is the most important news. And within this, we are now bringing the proposal for a decision to extend the benefits and add benefits for reserve soldiers. I convened the Ministerial Committee on Reserve Affairs, which I head. We formulated the details and we are bringing them. As mentioned, NIS 6.2 billion in addition to this, and the package is a package that takes into account the unique phenomenon of hundreds of thousands who come and serve, and essentially their families who support them, the businesses that support them, it’s all one whole that we are coming to assist in order to continue this, and so that Israel’s security can continue to be in those good hands.
The reserve soldiers, along with the regular army soldiers and career personnel, are the ones who enable the Prime Minister and us to make decisions. Bold decisions, decisions that have changed the Middle East, that have changed Israel’s standing. Everything rests on the people. Therefore, the appreciation today and the decisions today are decisions that strengthen the reserve soldiers, their families, and the security of the State of Israel.”
Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich:
“As we said, we are not waiting for budget approval. We are ensuring that our reservists and their families do not wait a single day. And even in the continuing budget, we are confirming today and implementing the large comprehensive program.
I want to say three brief things: thanks, a request, and a promise.
First of all, thank you to the reservists who serve. People who have left everything for over two years and are giving their all for the country. Thank you to their amazing families, the families of the mobilized who are mobilizing no less than they are. Thank you very much to the Minister of Defense for full cooperation and to the Prime Minister for end-to-end backing.
A request – make sure you don’t miss any benefit that is due to you. We are doing everything to push it to you. We are trying to make it automatic, like credit points. Make sure you receive everything and don’t miss out on any grant, any vacation, any voucher, any fighter card, it is yours by right, not by grace.
And a promise – I know that what is truly important to you, beyond the benefits, is victory. That your great sacrifice will truly bring the State of Israel to immense peaks of growth, prosperity, and security. We are committed to continuing until the end in all arenas and to ensure that on your backs, in your hands, on your shoulders, through your great devotion, the people of Israel will win.”