Gen. Israel Tal, head of the General Staff Branch at General Headquarters, said today that despite the paring of the 1972 defense budget, Israel’s armed forces would be ready to meet any threat from across its borders. Tal also disclosed that fewer reservists will be called to active duty this year; the period of reserve duty will be reduced from a month to two-three weeks; and more women soldiers will be assigned to noncombat duties to make more men available for combat.
Tal said Israel’s armed forces were operating on two premises: without a peace settlement, a new general war or a resumption of limited warfare is a possibility; terrorist activities will increase.
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