Government bill · 24th Knesset · published as law 25 May 2022
חוק קליטת חיילים משוחררים (תיקון מס' 24), התשפ"ב-2022Law for the Absorption of Discharged Soldiers (Amendment No. 24), 2022 · automatic translation · suggest a correction
Status: התקבלה בקריאה שלישית
Topics: Military and defense* · * from the Knesset's official law classification
Official summary of the law (Knesset)
The Absorption of Discharged Soldiers Law (Amendment No. 24), 2022 was discussed in the second and third readings on 24 May 2022. Since 2016, additional assistance for higher education studies has been given to soldiers discharged from the IDF who served as combat soldiers and to discharged soldiers from unique populations, within the framework of the "Dimensions for Studies" program. The Law regulates the program in legislation and budgets it, thereby expressing appreciation for soldiers discharged from regular service who served in combat roles, and for populations for whom service involves unique challenges: lone soldiers, new immigrants, members of minorities, and soldiers who received family payments due to their parents' economic situation. The Law establishes that the benefit, which can be utilized at higher education institutions recognized by the Council for Higher Education as well as at art institutions subject to the Student Rights Law, will be available to soldiers who completed at least 85% of their required service period under law. For combat soldiers, eligibility will be granted to those who served 75% of their service period as a combat soldier, but the Head of the Manpower Directorate will be authorized to determine that a person who completed only 70% of the service period will also be eligible for the benefit, as well as a person who was wounded during their service and therefore did not complete their service or who was transferred to serve in a rear-echelon role. Eligible soldiers will be able to exercise their eligibility within three years of their discharge, and they will receive tuition funding of 75% of the annual university tuition, for three years of study. In the tracks of engineering, medicine and architecture, as well as additional professions as determined by the Minister of Defense by order and in which the duration of studies is longer, eligibility will be for four years.
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Hebrew original
חוק קליטת חיילים משוחררים (תיקון 24), התשפ"ב-2022 נדון בקריאה השנייה והשלישית ביום כ"ג אייר התשפ"ב (24 במאי 2022). החל משנת 2016 ניתן לחיילים משוחררים מצה"ל ששירתו כלוחמים ולחיילים משוחררים מאוכלוסיות ייחודיות, סיוע נוסף לצורך לימודי השכלה גבוהה, במסגרת תכנית "ממדים ללימודים". החוק מסדיר את התכנית בחקיקה ומתקצב אותה, ובכך מביע הוקרה לחיילים משוחררים משירות סדיר ששירתו בתפקידי לחימה, ולאוכלוסיות שעבורן השירות כרוך באתגרים ייחודיים: חיילים בודדים, עולים חדשים, בני מיעוטים וחיילים שקיבלו תשלומי משפחה בשל מצבם הכלכלי של הוריהם. החוק קובע כי להטבה, אותה ניתן לממש במוסדות להשכלה גבוהה המוכרים על ידי המל"ג וכן במוסדות לאומנות שחל עליהם חוק זכויות הסטודנט, יהיו זכאים חיילים שהשלימו 85% לפחות מתקופת השירות שהם חייבים בה לפי חוק. לגבי לוחמים, הזכאות תינתן למי ששירת 75% מתקופת שירותו כלוחם, אך ראש אכ"א יהיה מוסמך לקבוע כי יהיה זכאי להטבה גם מי שהשלים רק 70% מתקופת השירות, וכן מי שנפצע במהלך שירותו ולכן לא השלים את שירותו או שעבר לשרת בתפקיד עורפי. החיילים הזכאים יוכלו לממש את זכאותם בשלוש השנים שלאחר שחרורם, והם יקבלו מימון שכר לימוד בגובה של 75% משכר הלימוד האוניברסיטאי השנתי, עבור שלוש שנות לימוד. במסלולי הנדסה, הרפואה והאדריכלות, וכן במקצועות נוספים כפי שיקבע שר הביטחון בצו ואשר בהם משך הלימודים ארוך יותר, תהיה הזכאות לארבע שנים.
Readings
- 8 March 2022 · First reading · הצבעההצעת חוק קליטת חיילים משוחררים (תיקון מס' 24) (קרן להשתתפות במימון לימודים במוסדות להשכלה גבוהה - ממדים ללימודים), התשפ"ב-2021Bill on Absorption of Discharged Soldiers (Amendment No. 24) (Fund for Participation in Financing Studies in Higher Education Institutions - Dimensions for Studies), 2021autoBill passed first reading7 for · 1 against
- 24 May 2022 · Third reading · הצבעההצעת חוק קליטת חיילים משוחררים (תיקון מס' 24), התשפ"ב-2022Bill for the Absorption of Discharged Soldiers (Amendment No. 24), 2022autoLaw passed55 for · 6 against
What was said in the plenum
The amendment seeks to enshrine in law the "Dimensions for Studies" program, which helps fund tuition for discharged soldiers who served as combat soldiers or belonged to unique populations, and to fund it permanently from the state budget. The main disagreement in the debate concerned not the program itself but the funding rate to be granted (66%, 75%, or 100%), the scope of eligible populations, and mutual political sparring between the coalition and the opposition regarding the government's conduct.
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Hebrew original
התיקון מבקש לעגן בחוק את תוכנית "ממדים ללימודים", המסייעת במימון שכר לימוד לחיילים משוחררים ששירתו כלוחמים או השתייכו לאוכלוסיות ייחודיות, ולתקצב אותה באופן קבוע מתוך תקציב המדינה. עיקר המחלוקת בדיון נסבה לא על עצם התוכנית אלא על שיעור המימון שיוענק (66%, 75% או 100%), על היקף האוכלוסיות הזכאיות ועל ניגוח פוליטי הדדי בין הקואליציה והאופוזיציה בנוגע להתנהלות הממשלה.
Arguments for
- This is a justified expression of appreciation for soldiers, especially combat soldiers and unique populations who performed meaningful service despite difficulties, and enshrining the program in law ensures its continuity and prevents future conditioning.
- The incentive for meaningful service in the IDF should be strengthened, since only half of those of draft age enlist and few continue to reserve duty, and this step is part of a broader policy of improving service conditions.Alon Schuster (Blue and White)
- Those who give more to the state and serve as combat soldiers should receive more in return, and this is an important message that should be heard from the house of representatives.Yoav Kisch (Likud)
Arguments against
- The proposed funding rate is too low and unfair to those who risked their lives; it should be raised to 100% (or alternatively to 75%), while the government easily finds large sums of money for other political purposes but claims it 'does not have' 50 million shekels for soldiers.Yoav Gallant (Likud), Yoav Kisch (Likud), Shlomo Karhi (Likud), Yariv Levin (Likud), Eli Cohen (Likud), David Bitan (Likud), Ofir Katz (Likud), Makhluf Miki Zohar (Likud), Orly Levi-Abekasis (Likud), Kathrin Shitrit (Likud), May Golan (Likud), Bezalel Smotrich (Religious Zionism), מיכל וולדיגר, Itamar Ben Gvir (Religious Zionism), Orit Malka Strock (Religious Zionism)
- The law discriminates by prioritizing certain populations over combat soldiers who do not belong to them, and limits the benefit to academic studies only, excluding vocational/certificate studies and additional populations such as single national service volunteers and immigrants.Shlomo Karhi (Likud), מיכל וולדיגר
- The law should be amended so that the benefit can also be exercised in exceptional cases, at additional institutions, and for additional small populations, for whom the cost of expanding eligibility is relatively negligible compared to the overall budget.מיכל וולדיגר
- The government is negotiating with distrust and heavy-handedness against the opposition on a matter concerning soldiers, implying criticism not only of the law's content but of the very manner in which it was brought forward.
Who spoke (25)
| Member | Faction | Readings | Speeches | In the final vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alon Schuster | Blue and White coalition | First reading | 1 | for |
| Yoav Gallant | Likud opposition | First reading, Third reading | 2 | no record |
| Yoav Kisch | Likud opposition | First reading, Third reading | 2 | no record |
| Shlomo Karhi | Likud opposition | First reading, Third reading | 2 | no record |
| Ram Ben Barak | Yesh Atid coalition | Third reading | 2 | for |
| David Amsalem | Likud opposition | Third reading | 1 | no record |
| Yitzhak Ze'ev Pindrus | United Torah Judaism opposition | Third reading | 1 | present, did not vote |
| Simcha Rothman | Religious Zionism opposition | Third reading | 2 | no record |
| Israel Katz | Likud opposition | Third reading | 1 | no record |
| Miri Miriam Regev | Likud opposition | Third reading | 1 | no record |
| Yariv Levin | Likud opposition | Third reading | 1 | no record |
| Eli Cohen | Likud opposition | Third reading | 1 | no record |
| David Bitan | Likud opposition | Third reading | 1 | no record |
| Ofir Katz | Likud opposition | Third reading | 1 | no record |
| Makhluf Miki Zohar | Likud opposition | Third reading | 1 | no record |
| Orly Levi-Abekasis | Likud opposition | Third reading | 1 | no record |
| Benjamin Gantz | Blue and White coalition | Third reading | 2 | for |
| Kathrin Shitrit | Likud opposition | Third reading | 1 | no record |
| May Golan | Likud opposition | Third reading | 1 | no record |
| Bezalel Smotrich | Religious Zionism opposition | Third reading | 1 | no record |
| מיכל וולדיגר (הציונות הדתית) | — | Third reading | 1 | — |
| Itamar Ben Gvir | Religious Zionism opposition | Third reading | 1 | no record |
| Orit Malka Strock | Religious Zionism opposition | Third reading | 1 | no record |
| Avi Maoz | Religious Zionism opposition | Third reading | 1 | no record |
| Ahmad Tibi | Joint List opposition | Third reading | 1 | against |
An automatic summary of the plenum transcripts: the debate on the bill at every reading it was voted on. Arguments are given as the speakers made them; this is not an assessment. The list of speakers comes from the transcript, without a model. A very long debate: every speech was shortened to the same length before summarising. Transcripts of the sittings: 1, 2
Reservations to the second reading
8 reservations were filed: proposed changes to the text the committee brought to the second and third reading.
The reservations are intended to establish critical declarations about the purpose of the law, to lower the eligibility percentage for the financial benefit to discharged soldiers, to increase the state's share of tuition funding, to remove the condition regarding the start date of studies, and to extend the benefits to those serving in national and civic-national service as well.
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Hebrew original
ההסתייגויות נועדו לקבוע הצהרות ביקורתיות על מטרת החוק, להוריד את אחוז הזכאות להטבה הכספית לחיילים משוחררים, להגדיל את שיעור השתתפות המדינה בשכר הלימוד, להסיר תנאי בדבר מועד תחילת הלימודים ולהחיל את ההטבות גם על משרתים בשירות לאומי ולאומי-אזרחי.
By faction
- Religious Zionism opposition · 8 reservations · 6 members
- Likud opposition · 7 reservations · 28 members
- United Torah Judaism opposition · 7 reservations · 7 members
- Shas opposition · 7 reservations · 9 members
A joint reservation counts for every faction whose members filed it. 3 proposers were not matched to a member: listed under the groups, not counted by faction.
Who proposed what
- שמחה רוטמן · 5Seeks to establish that the purpose of the law is to buy public support, and additionally seeks to expand eligibility for benefits to those serving in national and national-civic service.Sections: לפני סעיף 1, לסעיף 4
- יואב קיש · 4Seeks to establish that the purpose of the law is to present a false impression of concern for IDF soldiers on the part of the coalition.Sections: לפני סעיף 1
- שלמה קרעי · 4Seeks to establish that the purpose of the law is to present a false impression of concern for IDF soldiers on the part of the coalition.Sections: לפני סעיף 1
- דוד אמסלם · 4Seeks to establish that the purpose of the law is to save money at the expense of combat soldiers for other expenses.Sections: לפני סעיף 1
- יואב גלנט · 4Seeks to establish that the purpose of the law is to obscure the coalition's disintegration.Sections: לפני סעיף 1
- יצחק פינדרוס · 4Seeks to establish that the purpose of the law is to buy public support while the state is falling apart.Sections: לפני סעיף 1
- ינון אזולאי · 4Seeks to establish that the purpose of the law is to save money at the expense of combat soldiers for other expenses.Sections: לפני סעיף 1
- קבוצת הליכוד · 3Proposes to lower the eligibility percentage for the benefit set in the definition of "eligible discharged soldier" from 85% to 75%.Sections: לסעיף 4Benjamin Netanyahu, Yuli Yoel Edelstein, Israel Katz, Miri Miriam Regev, Yariv Levin, Yoav Gallant, Nir Barkat, Gila Gamliel, Avi Dicter, Galit Distel Atbaryan, Haim Katz, Eli Cohen, Tzachi Hanegbi, Ofir Akunis, Yuval Steinitz, David Amsalem, Desta Gadi Yevarkan, Amir Ohana, Ofir Katz, חווה אתי עטייה, Yoav Kisch, David Bitan, Keren Barak, Shlomo Karhi, Makhluf Miki Zohar, Orly Levi-Abekasis, Kathrin Shitrit, Fateen Mulla, May Golan
- קבוצת ש״ס · 3Proposes to lower the eligibility percentage for the benefit set in the definition of "eligible discharged soldier" from 85% to 75%.Sections: לסעיף 4
- קבוצת יהדות התורה · 3Proposes to lower the eligibility percentage for the benefit set in the definition of "eligible discharged soldier" from 85% to 75%.Sections: לסעיף 4
- קבוצת הציונות הדתית · 3Proposes to lower the eligibility percentage for the benefit set in the definition of "eligible discharged soldier" from 85% to 75%, as well as to increase the tuition participation rate and delete the condition regarding the start date of studies.Sections: לסעיף 4Bezalel Smotrich, מיכל וולדיגר, Itamar Ben Gvir, Simcha Rothman, Orit Malka Strock, Avi Maoz, Ofir Sofer
- מיכל וולדיגר · 1Seeks to expand eligibility for benefits to those serving in national and national-civic service for at least two years.Sections: לסעיף 4
Proposers and reservation numbers are extracted automatically from the committee version, and the count is checked against the numbers printed in it. The descriptions are an automatic summary. Committee version for the second and third reading (PDF)
Reservations, sections and other votes (5)
In order. Votes on reservations and individual sections are shown separately from the vote on the bill as a whole.
- 24 May 2022 · Second reading · סעיפים 1-3הצעת חוק קליטת חיילים משוחררים (תיקון מס' 24), התשפ"ב-2022Bill for the Absorption of Discharged Soldiers (Amendment No. 24), 2022auto107 for · 6 againstVote on sections of the bill
- 24 May 2022 · Second reading · ההסתייגות (6) של קבוצת סיעת הליכוד, קבוצת סיעת ש"ס, קבוצת סיעת יהדות התורה וקבוצת הציונות הדתית לסעיף 4הצעת חוק קליטת חיילים משוחררים (תיקון מס' 24), התשפ"ב-2022Bill for the Absorption of Discharged Soldiers (Amendment No. 24), 2022auto107 for · 6 againstVote on a reservation (amendment)
- 24 May 2022 · Second reading · ההסתייגות (8) של חברי הכנסת שמחה רוטמן ומיכל וולדיגר לסעיף 4הצעת חוק קליטת חיילים משוחררים (תיקון מס' 24), התשפ"ב-2022Bill for the Absorption of Discharged Soldiers (Amendment No. 24), 2022auto51 for · 61 againstVote on a reservation (amendment)
- 24 May 2022 · Second reading · סעיפים 4-8 כהצעת הוועדה ועם ההסתייגות שנתקבלההצעת חוק קליטת חיילים משוחררים (תיקון מס' 24), התשפ"ב-2022Bill for the Absorption of Discharged Soldiers (Amendment No. 24), 2022auto107 for · 6 againstVote on sections of the bill
- 24 May 2022 · Second reading · הסתייגות מס' 6 לחלופיןהצעת חוק קליטת חיילים משוחררים (תיקון מס' 24), התשפ"ב-2022Bill for the Absorption of Discharged Soldiers (Amendment No. 24), 2022auto53 for · 61 againstVote on a reservation (amendment)