[65369] Revolution in Housing Lotteries: Priority for Reservists and Denial of Benefits to Draft Evaders
[65369] Revolution in Housing Lotteries: Priority for Reservists and Denial of Benefits to Draft Evaders
The Israel Land Council has approved a precedent-setting decision allocating 50% of apartments in lotteries to reserve soldiers, while conditioning eligibility for benefits on the regularization of military status.
Revolution in Housing Lotteries: Priority for Reservists and Denial of Benefits to Draft Evaders
In a dramatic and unprecedented step, the Israel Land Authority (ILA) Council, convened by Minister Haim Katz, has decided that in the upcoming "Apartment at a Discount" program lotteries, 50% of the apartments will be allocated exclusively to reserve soldiers, with an emphasis on priority for combat personnel. This is reported by journalist Michael Shemesh as well as the channels News from the Field on Telegram and Moment of News.
The decision, which is intended to implement the High Court of Justice ruling regarding the denial of housing benefits to draft evaders, represents a significant policy change. According to reports, the remaining 50% of the apartments will be allocated to the general public, but this is subject to the regularization of status with the IDF. As published by Michael Shemesh, the regularization of military status will now become a mandatory condition for participation in the lotteries; candidates found to have provided a false declaration on this matter will have their win revoked.
Michael Shemesh, who frequently covers the subject from a perspective that emphasizes the economic consequences for the ultra-Orthodox sector, noted that this is a "significant economic blow" for young ultra-Orthodox individuals who have enjoyed the benefits until now. Sources identified with the sharp political arena, such as Political Arena, emphasized that the move was born following firm legal instruction from the Attorney General and her deputy Gil Limon, who demanded operative decisions to cancel benefits for those who do not enlist.
In parallel to this move, Michael Shemesh reports that the Prime Minister's Office is conducting intensive "persuasion talks" in an effort to find a political majority for the emerging draft law, and is attempting to ensure the support of pro-coalition members of Knesset for the decisive votes.