A-G: IDF service may be criteria for public housing

Preference may be given to citizens who served in the IDF in deciding who can live in public housing, Attorney-general Yehuda Weinstein determined on Wednesday.

Weinstein reviewed a list of criteria for public housing drafted by the Israel Lands Committee, and found no legal problem with requiring army or national service in order to qualify for one of the affordable housing projects.

MK Moshe Matalon (Israel Beiteinu) praised Weinstein, saying that giving preference to those who served in the IDF is “reasonable and proportional.”

According to the Israel Beiteinu MK, it is “moral and appropriate” for the law to allow those who serve the state to receive compensation. He added that equally sharing the burden of national and IDF service should be a top priority.

The Coalition for Affordable Housing, which is made up of social and human rights NGOS, expressed opposition to Weinstein’s decision, saying that it harms weak communities, such as Arabs, haredim and the handicapped, that need inexpensive housing.

The main criteria for public housing should be income and level of poverty, The Coalition for Affordable Housing stated.

MK Zehava Gal-on (Meretz) said that Weinstein is legitimizing discrimination and neglect of Arabs, haredim and handicapped people, adding that it opposes Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty.

The Meretz MK explained that, in her opinion, there is no problem with rewarding former IDF soldiers, but it cannot come at the cost of discriminating against populations that the law exempts from military service.