Israeli army cutting costs on soldiers' weekend meals

Israeli soldiers photo: Ronny Schitzer
Israeli soldiers photo: Ronny Schitzer

Israel's defense budget is NIS 70 billion a year.

The IDF unexpectedly sent hundreds of soldiers on courses and training on leave from a base near Eilat at the end of last week. The soldiers, who will be placed in units when their courses and training are completed, were surprised to learn from their commanders that the decision to send them home on weekend leave resulted from the need to cut the army's food costs. Israel's defense budget is NIS 70 billion a year, including US defense aid.

The father of a soldier serving at the base told "Globes" that his son and the son's friends, who were at the base in a course, had expected to remain there over the weekend. "Friday morning, they were surprised to hear that they were being sent home because there weren't enough portions in the dining room," the father said.

A military source confirmed to "Globes" that hundreds of soldiers in courses and training serving at the base had been sent on weekend leave last Friday. The source attributed the unscheduled leave to renovations in the base's dining room. The IDF usually orders food from an external caterer. Last weekend, in an attempt to reduce food expenses, it was decided to send soldiers on leave who were "not required for the base's regular activity."

An IDF spokesperson said in response, "The head of technology and logistics gave instructions to improve the base's short and long-term response. The IDF takes regular action to improve its response for soldiers serving on this base. Frequent audits have been held recently on the base and a comprehensive renovation is being conducted on the kitchen, which is expected to be fully ready next week. As a result of the renovation, an external caterer was used for the base. Infrastructure at the base is handled thoroughly and with the utmost seriousness."

Hundreds of the soldiers unexpectedly sent on weekend leave arrived home after many hours of travel, but they at least got home cooking.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 30, 2018

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2018

Israeli soldiers photo: Ronny Schitzer
Israeli soldiers photo: Ronny Schitzer
Intel plant in Kiryat Gat credit:  Intel Intel Israel fate uncertain amid sale talks with TSMC, Broadcom

"Globes" considers the options for Intel Israel's 9,500 employees if the ailing chip giant is broken up and sold.

Dizengoff Center credit: Guy Hamoy Israel's economy grew 1% in 2024, above expectations

This figure reflects negative GDP per capita growth of 0.3%, because of population growth last year, the Central Bureau of Statistics reports.

Teva CEO Richard Francis credit: Elad Malka Teva CEO responds to 25% share price fall

Richard Francis said that the question is no longer whether Teva will survive but whether it can grow more.

Holon employment bureau credit: Eyal Izhar Unemployment in Israel fell in January

The unemployment rate in Israel fell to 2.6% in January 2025, after seasonal adjustment, from 2.7% in December 2024, the Central Bureau of Statistics reports.

Israel Tax Authority Head Shay Aharonovich credit: Yossi Zamir Israel Tax Authority set to publish voluntary disclosure plan

The latest procedure, delayed for over a year, will not include an anonymous track but will have a fast track for unreported cryptocurrency assets.

Shalev Hulio and Sebastian Kutz credit: Pini Siluk and Dominic Butzmann Israeli co Dream Security raises $100m at $1.1b valuation

The company, which protects national infrastructures, was founded by former spyware company NSO Group CEO Shalev Hulio, former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Gil Dolev.

Mon: TASE lower as Nova gains continue

Dimri led the declines on the Tel Aviv 35 Index as Nova and Teva bucked the market.

$20b CyberArk becomes Israel's second most valuable co

The cybersecurity company's share price has almost tripled in value in the past three years.

monday.com co-CEOs eran Zinman and Roy Mann credit: Netanel Tobias monday.com soars on strong Q4 results

After beating the analysts on revenue and profit, the work operating systems company is now the fourth most valuable Israeli company on Wall Street.

Teva CEO Richard Francis credit: Sivan Faraj Teva files to raise first capital since 2016

The Israeli pharmaceutical company's debt fell to $17.8 billion at the end of 2024, down from $19.8 billion at the end of the 2023.

Odysight.ai chairman Benad Goldwasser credit: Odysight Israeli co Odysight.ai set for Nasdaq IPO

The sensor solutions company will seek to raise about $21.5 million at a company valuation of $129 million.

Aaron Frenkel and Nathan Hetz  credit: Eli Etkin, Tamar Matsafi Frenkel ups Alony Hetz stake to become biggest shareholder

Aaron Frenkel has bought shares in the company for NIS 60 million, giving him a 13% stake, leapfrogging CEO Nathan Hetz who owns a 12.5% stake.

Stratasys CEO Dr. Yoav Zeif credit: Stratasys Fortissimo to invest $120m in Stratasys for 14% stake

The private equity firm's investment in the Israeli 3D solutions company reflects a 10.6% premium on its share price.

Inflation credit: Tali Bogdanovsky January CPI reading lifts inflation, housing prices rise

In the twelve months to the end of January 2024, inflation has risen to 3.8%, the Central Bureau of Statistics reports.

Mortgage taking credit: Shutterstock Steep fall in mortgage taking in Israel in January

Mortgage taking was down 50% from the preceding month but up 30% from January 2024, the Bank of Israel reports.

Accountant General Yali Rothenberg credit: Cadya Levy Israel raises $5b international bond

Accountant General: This is an important public offering that indicates the financial stability of the State of Israel and the high confidence of global investors in the Israeli economy.

Avi Simhon, Bezalel Smotrich and Yogev Gradus credit: Yossi Cohen, Noam Moskovich/Knesset Spokesperson, Amit Shabi/Yediot Ahronot Israeli gov't mulls tax cuts as deficit narrows

National Economic Council chairman Prof. Avi Simhon: If we are convinced this is a continuing trend, the first tax I would reduce is cutting VAT back to 17%.

Twitter Facebook Linkedin RSS Newsletters גלובס Israel Business Conference 2018