Salary Increase for YAM Fighters Amidst Political Tensions
In a significant development, the Israeli Ministry of Finance has announced a 35% salary increase for the YAM fighters, a special police unit dedicated to combating terrorism. This decision, reached in collaboration with Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Pay Commissioner Efi Malkin, and various professional bodies within the police and the Ministry of National Security, aims to enhance the financial compensation of these fighters through bonuses, grants, and retention incentives. The increase is part of a broader effort to attract and retain personnel in the security forces, especially in light of the heightened demands since the outbreak of conflict on October 7.
However, the announcement has sparked a public dispute between National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Ben-Gvir criticized the timing and presentation of the salary increase, labeling it a "poor spin" by Smotrich. He contended that the decision to raise salaries was made over a year ago with the Finance Ministry's consent but was delayed by Smotrich's actions. Ben-Gvir has called for a retraction of what he describes as harm to the salaries of police officers and prison guards, claiming that the Finance Ministry's recent decisions have negatively impacted their compensation.
Ongoing Tensions Between Ministers
The friction between Ben-Gvir and Smotrich has been palpable, particularly following a recent notice sent to police and Border Guard personnel that indicated an increase in their activity levels and corresponding salaries due to wartime conditions. The Finance Ministry expressed surprise at this notice, asserting that it was inconsistent with their financial planning and had not allocated resources for such increases, leading to a halt in funding.
Ben-Gvir's team has expressed frustration over Smotrich's handling of the situation, emphasizing that the increased operational demands on police and prison service personnel warrant appropriate salary adjustments. They argue that just as military personnel received pay raises due to increased activity levels, so too should police officers and prison guards.
Ministry of Finance's Response
In response to the unfolding situation, the Ministry of Finance reaffirmed its commitment to improving the conditions for police officers, highlighting that since the onset of the conflict, over 100 million NIS in grants have been allocated to support them. The Ministry emphasized that while they value the contributions of police officers, unilateral salary changes that could jeopardize public trust and financial integrity are unacceptable. They reiterated their intention to engage in constructive dialogue with the police to ensure fair compensation within the established budgetary framework.
