1,300 Israeli reservists declare opposition to Netanyahu
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More Israeli reservists and soldiers announce their opposition to the right-wing government and call for its overthrow.
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An Israeli occupation forces reservist signs a declaration announcing the suspension of his voluntary reserve duty, to protest the government's judicial overhaul bill, in "Tel Aviv", occupied Palestine, on July 19, 2023. (AFP)
1300 former members of a formation in the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) released a statement condemning the remarks of the occupation's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that his government should be overthrown in non-violent ways.
The statement read, "Since the coup broke out in January, everything is very clear: it is clear that he is a dictator who has cut himself off from reality. It is clear that [Benjamin Netanyahu] is ready to burn Israel to save himself."
The former occupation troops accused Netanyahu of not obeying the Israeli Supreme Court, saying that the Prime Minister would "initiate a political operation for political purposes."
They blasted the ruling coalition in "Israel", saying that "it is quite clear that this psychotic government, which is an existential threat to Israel, must be overthrown in non-violent manners."
They ended their statement by declaring, "Now is the time for struggle."
Israeli analyst for Middle Eastern affairs, Tzvi Barel, told Haaretz newspaper that the occupation government officially acknowledged the start of a "civil war".
Barel said the limitations imposed on the "reasonableness law" allowing the government to curtail the Supreme Court's veto power are proof that Israeli "democracy" cannot be defended through discussions and dialogue or even popular opposition.
In this context, the former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Israeli occupation entity, Uzi Dayan, said in a radio interview that "everyone who refuses to join the service should be summoned to a disciplinary trial," as reservists and troops abstain from serving in the Israeli occupation forces.
Dayan, when asked whether he sees a difference between announcing non-volunteering and refusing service, said, "There is a misunderstanding about volunteering," explaining that "according to the law, those discharged from regular service must serve until the age of 40 if they are not officers, and if they are officers, until the age of 45. Those who are 50 years old and do not wish to volunteer cannot be forced," and adding, "refusing service is illegal."
Dayan pointed out that those who refuse service "must be called for a questioning and a disciplinary trial."
When asked about the possibility that thousands announce the cessation of serving in the military, Dayan said that nothing can be determined on how this would affect the Israeli occupation forces, but enough data should be collected to predict the possible scenarios accurately.
On Thursday, the former head of the Israeli occupation force's intelligence division "Aman," Tamir Hayman, said that the Israeli occupation army has been dragged into a battle it cannot emerge victorious from, as quoted by Israeli Channel 12.
Hayman told the Israeli broadcaster that the internal division the Israeli occupation forces are experiencing is a battle that the military cannot win, adding that the phenomenon worries him.
The former Israeli official stressed that the outcome of the proposed reforms, whether successfully implemented by the Netanyahu-led government or obstructed by the opposition, would still result in the defeat of the Israeli occupation army.
In one scenario, if the legislation is indeed stopped, he envisaged a troubling situation unfolding for "Israel". Proponents of the overhaul within the military might assert that a military coup had taken place, accusing the army of being politicized and swayed by internal conflicts, weakening its status and authority.
Hayman also pointed to the growing complexity and explosiveness of the situation in the West Bank and Palestine in general, which adds to the troubles of the IOF. "We are sitting on a powder keg," he asserted, highlighting that whenever a Resistance operation unfolds, it takes center stage in the media and captures the attention of Israeli society. Yet, once the operation ends, an immediate calm settles in.
