Benefits for soldiers serving in Israeli military not included in US spending bill

Legislation passed by the U.S. Congress on Dec.

21 to avoid a government shutdown did not contain any benefits for U.S. soldiers who serve in the Israeli Defense Forces, contrary to social media posts.



Posts that wrongly suggested such support was included used quotes from a different bill, H.R.8445 , opens new tab , which has yet to come up for a vote.

A screenshot of a section of legislation was shared on Facebook , opens new tab with a highlighted section that said: “The service of a citizen of the United States in the Israeli Defense Forces shall be treated in the same manner as service in the uniformed services.” The image was shared with the caption: “Um, WTF is this in the bill that was just passed?” The post originated on X , opens new tab on Dec. 21 – the same day Congress approved a continuing resolution to avert a government shutdown.

However, the text is from a different bill introduced to the House of Representatives by Republicans Max Miller and Guy Reschenthaler in May. The last action taken on that bill was a referral to a Veterans’ Affairs subcommittee in July. That bill calls for amendments , opens new tab to programs for U.

S. military service members and veterans that would allow American citizens serving in the Israeli military to gain eligibility for benefits and protections similar to those who serve in the U.S.

military. False. The screenshot of text is not from the continuing resolution to fund the government passed on Dec.

21. It is from an older bill that has not been voted on. This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team.

Read more about our fact-checking work. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab.