Israeli military assesses protest letter from reservists refusing service over judicial reform

(Patria) - The Israeli military announced it is examining the impact of a letter sent by air force reservists who threatened to stop serving voluntarily if the government proceeds with its planned judicial reform, Reuters reported.

Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the military is checking the details of the letter, which he said was initialed by more than 1,100 reservists, and will "examine the implications accordingly".

The letter, published in Israeli media without naming signatories, was the latest sign of opposition within the military to the judicial changes being pushed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition.

At least some coalition members seemed to be made more determined to proceed with the changes by the letter.

"Even if we wanted to abandon the laws and stop, we simply cannot," said Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, one of Netanyahu's far-right partners. "A country that gives in to the threats of generals will actually be a country ruled by a military junta, which is the furthest from democracy," he added.

Air force veterans say reservists who volunteer after completing their mandatory military service make up about half of the crews sent on combat flights.

Proponents of the judicial changes say they would balance the branches of power. Critics say they would remove vital checks and balances. The reform has triggered months of protests across the country, shaken the economy, and raised concerns among Western allies.

In the letter addressed to lawmakers, the chief of staff, and the head of the air force, the reservists called for broad agreements on judicial reform and for the government to maintain the independence of the judiciary.

"Legislation that allows the government to act in an extremely unreasonable manner will harm the security of the State of Israel, cause a loss of trust, and violate my consent to continue risking my life and will lead, with deep sadness and without choice, to the suspension of my volunteer duty in the reserves," the reservists wrote.

Hagari said the military is monitoring the situation, examining its readiness, and conveying the implications to the political leadership. "Not reporting for reserve duty harms the IDF and state security. In recent days, cohesion has been visibly damaged and it will take time to repair," he said.

Before parliament goes on its summer break on July 30, lawmakers are expected to vote on a bill that would block the Supreme Court from overturning decisions made by the government that it deems "unreasonable".

On Monday, Netanyahu pledged to crack down on absences from reserve duty, which he said risked inviting attacks from Israeli enemies and undermining its democracy. "The government will not accept insubordination," Netanyahu told his cabinet.