Knesset Panel Advances 32-Month Mandatory Service Bill to Final Votes

The Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee approved an emergency measure keeping mandatory military service at 32 months and advanced it to the plenum for its second and third readings. Eight committee members supported the bill and one opposed it, with the vote still subject to a request for reconsideration. The measure delays a planned reduction to 30 months until the June 2029 intake, whose members are expected to complete service in January 2032, and provides graduated compensation for the additional months. IDF representatives said 32 months still falls short of operational needs and sought 36 months because of manpower pressure on regular and reserve units.