Since the independence of the State of Israel, reserve troops have been a source of vital force for the Israel Defense Forces. Reservists operate in emergency situations as well as routine operations. In recent years, the periods of military reserve duty have become more intense, and a gap has widened between those who return each year to fulfill their duty of reservist to the army and those who refuse to do so.

The Braverman Committee was created to put in place a new system designed to alleviate the conditions of the service of reservists. The committee's recommendations were approved by the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament) in May 2005. The new, less intense reserve service came into effect in March 2008.