Tzevet-Israel Defence Forces Veterans Associations

Tzevet-Israel Defence Forces Veterans Associations (Hebrew: צוות - ארגון גמלאי צה"ל) is a non-profit membership organization in Israel that represents career veterans of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Founded on 10 October 1960 by a group of early career retirees, it has grown into a nationwide association with approximately 40,000 members, including veterans and their families. The organization operates through six districts (North, Sharon, Dan, Judea, South, and Jerusalem) and 42 branches across the country. Its mission is to safeguard the rights and pensions of its members, assist their integration into the civilian labor market, provide mutual aid, encourage volunteerism, and preserve the heritage of the IDF and the Jewish people in Israel. Tzevet maintains a small headquarters managed by a CEO, with departments for management and computing, employment, health, and personal assistance. It engages in ongoing negotiations with the Ministry of Defense, the IDF, and the Treasury to protect pension rights, and has achieved significant agreements, such as the 2012 pension agreement that prevented cuts to veterans' benefits. The association also runs cultural, leisure, and enrichment activities, and promotes heritage through educational programs in schools and commemorative events. In 2018, Tzevet received the President's Award for Volunteer Organizations. Its annual turnover in 2021 was approximately 28 million NIS, primarily from monthly membership fees.

Tzevet was founded on 10 October 1960 by a group of nine career IDF retirees: Nachum Shadmi, Avraham Atzmon, Ahuvia Malkin, Baruch Yitzhar, Yosef Eitan, Yosef K. Even, Yaakov Zakai, Mordechai Haruti, and Nechemia Barush. In the late 1950s, the first career soldiers began retiring from the IDF at a much younger age than civil service retirees, facing new challenges in transitioning to civilian life. The founders established three guiding principles: maintaining ties with the IDF, assisting retirees in integrating into the job market, and creating community and cultural activities. Over the years, the organization grew steadily, attracting retirees of all ranks and female soldiers. Members typically served at least twenty years and shared a strong connection to IDF heritage. Tzevet has been instrumental in securing pension rights for its members. In 1992, the "Rabin Ordinance" regulated the repayment of capitalization loans for those who took lifelong capitalization before 1997. In 2012, Tzevet led an agreement between the Ministry of Defense, the IDF, and the Treasury that provided a 5-12% supplement to the determining salary for pension, canceled the capitalization deduction for career soldiers at age 65, and added cost-of-living supplements for 2008 and 2009, totaling about 25% increase in pension wages. The organization also initiated the "Best for Education" project in 1990, converting retirees into teachers, established the "Givat Tal" neighborhood in Rosh HaAyin in 1994, launched collective health and nursing insurance in 2000, and created a nationwide employment unit in 2005. In 2010, Israel Post issued a stamp commemorating Tzevet's 50th anniversary. In 2018, Tzevet received the President's Award for Volunteer Organizations. The organization continues to address pension issues, including a lawsuit against the Tax Authority regarding tax exemptions for qualifying pensions under Amendment 190 to the Income Tax Ordinance, and petitions to the High Court regarding pension increases for IDF retirees.

• 2018

  Received the President's Award for Volunteer Organizations.

• 2012

  Pension agreement signed with the Ministry of Defense, IDF, and Treasury.

• 2010

  Israel Post issued a stamp commemorating Tzevet's 50th anniversary on 25 August.

• 2007

  Agreements regulating relations between the Ministry of Defense, IDF, "Hever", and Tzevet.

• 2005

  Nationwide employment unit established.

• 2000

  Collective health and nursing insurance launched for members.

• 1994

  "Givat Tal" neighborhood established in Rosh HaAyin for Tzevet members.

• 1992

  "Rabin Ordinance" regulated capitalization loan repayments.

• 1990

  "Best for Education" project launched, converting retirees into teachers.

• 1960

  Tzevet founded on 10 October by nine career IDF retirees.

Non-profit advocacy and community organization for IDF career veterans, focused on rights, welfare, and heritage.

Product categories. Membership services · Employment assistance · Health and nursing insurance · Cultural and leisure activities · Heritage preservation programs

1. 1Tzevet-Israel Defence Forces Veterans Associations - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2צוות - ארגון גמלאי צה"ל - Wikipedia (Hebrew)he.wikipedia.org