Public Activity

A Partner Left Behind - GFIDF serves as the official representative body of bereaved partners of fallen IDF soldiers. In this role,  GFIDF invests significant effort in advocacy and public engagement, ensuring that the voices of bereaved partners are heard and respected at the highest levels of decision-making. 
 

We represent bereaved partners in Knesset discussions, in meetings with government ministries, and in collaborations with civil-society organizations and NGOs.
 

Over the years, GFIDF has led and achieved significant milestones:

• Recognition as the representative organization - The State of Israel formally recognized GFIDF as the official representative of bereaved partners of fallen IDF soldiers and members of the security forces, acknowledging their unique place within the national circle of loss.

 

• IDF partner-notification procedure - Following Operation Tzuk Eitan, and at the initiative of former MK Dr. Aliza Lavie in cooperation with GFIDF, the IDF instituted a formal procedure for notifying partners of the death of their loved one. It was also established that bereaved partners serving in the military are entitled to attend funerals and shiva without this time being deducted from their military leave and are granted leave on memorial days.

 

• Public-sector leave regulations - Following the precedent set by the IDF, the State determined that bereaved partners employed in the public sector are entitled to leave for shiva, memorial services, and Memorial Day, equivalent to the leave granted to bereaved family members.

 

• The Fallen Soldiers’ Fiancé(e) Recognition Law - During the Swords of Iron War, broad agreement was reached across Knesset factions on the “Fiancées Law.” This law grants fiancées of fallen IDF soldiers a monthly allowance for five years from the date of loss, along with coverage of mental-health treatment costs for a period of ten years.

 

• Raising public awareness in the media - GFIDF actively works to strengthen public recognition of bereaved partners through media campaigns, interviews, feature stories, and social media outreach, ensuring that their unique voice and experience remain part of Israel’s public discourse.