Liberman Calls for Up to 50% Pay Rise for Career Soldiers and Defense Ministry Staff

Avigdor Liberman called for a pay rise of up to 50% for career soldiers and Defense Ministry employees, saying the IDF manpower crisis also affects its professional officers and noncommissioned officers. In his proposal, child allowances would be paid only for the first four children, and coalition funds would be cancelled to redirect money to those serving. He said a combat-unit captain earns less than NIS 12,000 a month and a long-serving specialist less than NIS 9,000. Liberman presented the changes as his priorities, without announcing an enacted salary increase.