The servicewomen of Unit 9900, one of the most highly classified intelligence units in the IDF, have recently pushed through a major shift in military policy that will make life easier for moms in uniform: their unit now has a nursing room.

The initiative began with a relatively embarrassing event. "I was hosting a delegation from abroad, and one of the visitors asked to pump milk for her baby," said Major S., a software engineer in the unit. "I was lost for words. We didn't have a nursing room. But I told the woman that thanks to her, now we will."

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"Soldiers come up with new and creative ways to serve in the IDF every day. Work-life balance is one of the key considerations when it comes to choosing employment. The unit supports mothers and fathers who return from maternity and paternity leave and want to continue to provide their children with the best care," the unit tweeted.

"The initiative has the full support of the unit and the unit commander. We hope that this will set a precedent, and many more nursery rooms will be created in the Intelligence Corps and the IDF in general.

"The room will help women and men understand that not only is their professional life being supported, but also their family lives. It makes a big difference to them", said Major S.

The unit's deputy unit commander, Lieutenant Colonel R., added: "This nursery room is an important statement. The service people are being cared for. They are parents. They have other responsibilities too. Creating this nursery room is a significant step for women and men alike.

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The leave for fathers would be in addition to, not instead of, maternity leave, according to the parameters of the task force.

The annual hit to the national budget for one week of paid paternity leave is estimated at around NIS 500 million ($135.7 million), and between NIS 1 billion ($271.6 million) for two weeks leave and NIS 2 billion ($543.2 million) for four weeks of paternity leave.

Because the Knesset is currently dispersed, any legislation on the matter cannot be pursued until after the election on April 9.

Some 190,000 babies were born in 2018, while that number is expected to rise to 200,000 in 2019.

Today, a woman who has worked five years for the same employer is eligible to receive additional unpaid vacation days in addition to her paid maternity leave. A woman who has worked for over a year for the same employer or at the same job has the right to 26 weeks of maternity leave – 11 of which are unpaid and 15 are paid.

Michal Gera Margaliot, the managing director of the Israel Women's Network, and Yaara Mann, the director of the Feminist Employment Market at the IWN, said in a joint statement: "Paternity leave for fathers is vital to increasing equality between men and women in the market place and at home."

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