Israel to cut army service

Israel’s compulsory military service is to be gradually reduced to two years from the current three years in a move that would save millions of pounds a year, defence minister Shaul Mofaz said today.

The reduction would begin next year when Israeli soldiers serving in fighting units will have their service reduced by four months and those in service jobs will have their time reduced by eight months.

The decision to reduce military service was made by a special government committee and endorsed by Mofaz and military chief Dan Halutz.

Quoting treasury officials, the website of Israel’s Haaretz newspaper said the move could save Israel two billion shekels (about €360m) a year and could have a substantial impact on the economy by adding thousands of men to the work force.