In its sitting on Monday, the Knesset Plenum voted to approve in second and third readings the Families of Soldiers Who Fell in Battle Bill (Benefits and Rehabilitation) (Amendment No. 47), 2026. This is a government bill into which private members’ bills were merged, sponsored by MKs Tzvika Foghel (Otzma Yehudit) , Moshe Turpaz (Yesh Atid), Yinon Azoulay (Shas), Sharon Nir (Yisrael Beitenu), Ofir Katz (Likud), Pnina Tameno Shete (Blue and White—National Unity Party) and a group of MKs. In the vote, 15 Members of Knesset supported the bill, without opposing votes or abstentions.
It is proposed to amend the Families of Soldiers Who Fell in Battle Law (Benefits and Rehabilitation) and the Benefits for Casualties of Hostile Acts Law, and to expand the assistance to adult orphans of fallen IDF soldiers and victims of hostile acts, and to widows and bereaved parents. Among other things, the amendment grants an orphan over age 21 a monthly benefit of NIS 3,500 until age 30 and a monthly benefit of NIS 2,000 until age 40, and increases the marriage grant significantly to an amount of NIS 300,000.
It is further proposed to expand the definition of “orphan” in this context to a person who was orphaned until age 30, instead of 21 as today, and to grant a monthly benefit of about NIS 8,700 to people orphaned of both parents for 13 years from the date they lost the second parent or until reaching age 50, instead of until age 25 as today.
Additionally, it is proposed that widows and widowers who have small children will receive a monthly allowance of up to NIS 6,000 as assistance for retaining the services of a caregiver, depending on the child’s age. Bereaved parents who have small children will receive assistance in the amount of NIS 2,500 per month for this purpose.
The bill also includes a benefit of NIS 2,000 per month for a family raising orphans until they reach age 25; support and assistance for adult orphans who are not self-sufficient; expanding the budgeting of a personal support program for orphans until age 21; assistance to orphans in fertility treatments; assistance in funding tuition fees for academic studies and vocational training until age 60, and more.
MK Ofir Katz: “We are united on this important issue, both coalition and opposition. This bill does great justice. Those who sent their loved ones to fight for the state should know that the state will fight for them too. I will always continue to work on behalf of the bereaved families.”
MK Tameno Shete: “I feel that with this bill, we are giving the greatest honor to the families that have lost their loved ones. I want the families to know that we will not forsake them on the day after. The least we can do is to give you the support and the backing.”
The explanatory notes to the bill state: “The purpose of the proposed amendment is to amend the law in such a way that will provide a proper and optimal response to the needs of the bereaved families. The main part of the amendment pertains to expanding assistance to adult orphans in the economic, rehabilitation and emotional spheres. This is, among other things, in the wake of the recommendations of the public committee for examination and formulation of recommendations on issues related to the status and rights of adult orphans of fallen IDF soldiers and security personnel, chaired by retired Justice Elyakim Rubinstein. As for widows of fallen IDF soldiers and security personnel, the bill proposes to expand their rights.”
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