MK Miri Regev
MK Miri RegevFlash 90

MK Miri Regev (Likud) welcomed on Sunday morning, reports that the Ministry of Defense will be raising the salaries of IDF soldiers in 2015, but expressed disappointment with the Minister for dragging his feet on the matter. 

"Unfortunately, the Defense Minister's announcement to raise salaries stems mostly from large public pressure, and the Supreme Court decision on the subject to be given next Monday," Regev said. 

Regev is referring to a lawsuit that began in 2013, which revealed that IDF soldiers' salaries had not been reviewed for more than a decade, despite the fact that during that period the cost of living had risen significantly.

Regev continued: "I expected the Defense Minister [Moshe Yaalon] and IDF Chief of Staff [Benny Gantz] to be more aware and sympathetic to soldiers' plights." 

"I submitted my bill to raise the wages of soldiers two months ago, but it fell apart in the Ministerial Committee for Legislation." 

"I decided to continue in the struggle against the Minister of Finance [Yair Lapid] and the Minister of Defense. They need to understand that they are responsible for the dire situation of soldiers who cannot finish out the month and go into heavy debts," Regev stressed. 

"I'm glad that in the end justice has prevailed for the soldiers, and they will receive a higher salary. It is our duty to take care of our children. We must ensure that soldiers receive an honorable and decent monthly salary," Regev emphasized.

"I will continue to closely follow the implementation of the Minister's decision."

According to media reports Sunday morning, Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon ordered the nation's security system to raise the wages of conscripted soldiers by 25%, starting in January of 2015.

The decision to raise salaries came after recommendations from professional ranks in the IDF. The cost for the new initiative is estimated at $200 million shekels. 

Soldiers serving in combat units will receive a monthly wage of NIS 1,100 (~$300), compared to NIS 850 today. Soldiers serving in combat support from 2015 on are expected to receive approximately NIS 785 per month, up from 630. Additionally back-end pay will be raised to NIS 550, instead of the current 430.