Israel is currently fighting a multi-front war that has seen the most extensive mobilization of reserves in the country’s history. The bulk of the Israeli Defense Force’s (IDF) manpower consists of its reserve units, and as such hundreds of thousands of reserve soldiers have spent long periods of the current war away from their homes.

Fighting for our home: the IDF Reservists’ Wives Forum is a vital advocate for the families of 100,000 IDF reserve soldiers impacted by the extensive mobilization in Israel’s current multi-front war. The Forum includes over 5,000 wives who are members of this community.

14 dedicated wives and mothers lead the Forum on a voluntary basis. It works tirelessly to address the unique challenges these families face. 

The Forum has undertaken various initiatives to support and advocate for families of reserve soldiers. These include developing a comprehensive policy plan that has influenced a 9-billion NIS economic aid program passed by the Israeli government. 

Among the achievements during the Forum’s existence (since the 50th day of the war) are:

• Establishing a voluntary rights-extraction system which includes more than 40 lawyers, for families of conscripts.
• Initiating and passing a law that protects reservist women from being fired and sent on unpaid leave. 
• Extending protection against the dismissal of reservist employees.
• Developing 60 leaders at the municipal level who advocate on behalf of the families of reservists.
• Creating support systems for children of ex wives of reservists.
• Publishing hundreds of items in the national media to raise public awareness about reservists’ families.
  

The Forum’s activities are carried out via the current emergency routine, under the leadership of volunteer mothers who’ve completed 7 months of fighting at home alone, with the children, while working, and always concerned for the safety of their fighting spouses. Therse are women who have found the strength of mind and the strength fortitude to create a system that is professional and multi-interface.

Within five months of the fForum’s launch, there is no doubt about its necessity, function, and value in the community, in the Knesset, in government, in the media, and in the IDF. We have succeeded in building a network of support, influence, leverage, and knowledge for women fighting for their homes.