Erdan to equate Border Police wages with IDF spearhead units
Public Security Minister Erdan announced his ministry will pay for equating wages of Border Policemen to those of other IDF 'spearhead unit' soldiers serving in Golani, Givati; IDF Chief of Staff Eisenkot's plan originally called to raise wages of combat soldiers, excluded Border Police; 'No one is on the spearhead more than the Border Police,' Erdan says.
Erdan's announcement came three months after IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot created a list of benefits for regular service spearhead soldiers but excluded the Border Policemen from the plan's purview.
"Surely you comprehend the breadth of responsibility and the enormity of the risk Border Policemen and women take on. I can say that I personally felt immense pride when a study was published showing Border Police—which is effectively a police force—became the IDF's most sought-after combat corps. What magnificent youths we have," Erdan said during a Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony at Kfar HaMaccabiah.
Erdan further elaborated on what he thought of Eisenkot's plan, which discriminated against those serving in the Border Police. "To my astonishment and regret, both the IDF and the Defense Ministry have made an extremely grave moral error in initiating an otherwise important plan to improve the lot of combat soldiers by significantly raising their wages.
The plan put special emphasis, Erdan explained, on so-called "spearhead soldiers" from Golani, Givati and the Armored and Gunnery Corps.
"Who was not included in the 'spearhead soldier' definition to receive new and improved terms?" Erdan wondered. "That's right, Border Policemen. Is anyone more of a spearhead than the Border Police? Was Hadas Malka not on the spearhead? Was Hadar Cohen not on the spearhead? No one is on the spearhead more than the Border Police."
Minister Erdan also commented on his plan, which calls to address the issue by equating the wages of Border Policemen with those of other spearhead units.
"As the minister tasked with protecting Border Policemen, I hereby announce my decision—without any favors from the Defense Ministry—to finance the spearhead addition to all Border Policemen—those who serve in the IDF and those who serve in the police—from my ministry's own budget. They will start receiving their increased wages from the same day other soldiers have already started receiving it. It's what they deserve and it's my debt to them," Erdan announced.
