500 Israeli Navy reservists sign petition calling for end of Gaza war
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Hundreds of Israeli Navy graduates, set to become reservists, sign a petition calling for the cessation of the war on Gaza and the return of all captives.
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Israeli Navy sailors mourn during the funeral of Petty Officer 1st Class David Moshe Ben Shitrit at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, August 25, 2024 (AP)
Growing dissent within Israeli society over the ongoing war in Gaza is gaining momentum, as hundreds of military veterans and cultural figures have signed petitions demanding an end to the war and the return of captives held in the Gaza Strip.
According to the Israeli public broadcaster KAN, 500 graduates of the Naval Reserve Commanders Course have signed a petition urging the Israeli government to halt the war and focus efforts on securing the release of the captives. Among the signatories are four former senior commanders of the Israeli Navy.
Moreover, a report on Thursday said 150 officers in the Israeli Navy signed a letter addressed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Security Minister Israel Katz, members of the Knesset, and the leadership of the Israeli military, demanding a halt to the fighting in Gaza.
The text of the letter, published by Israeli media, stated that 59 captives "remain in Hamas tunnels while the government retreats from its commitment to return them," and the officers warned of "the dangers faced by soldiers, the harm inflicted on Israelis, and the unequal sharing of burdens," emphasizing that "security decisions are being made based on illegitimate considerations."
Meanwhile, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported that approximately 1,700 artists and intellectuals have also signed a separate petition calling for an immediate ceasefire and the safe return of hostages detained in Gaza.
Thousands call for cessation of war
Sources cited by Haaretz revealed that more than 100,000 Israelis have signed various petitions with similar demands over the past five days, signaling a widening public pushback against the continuation of the military campaign.
This petitions align with one signed by 950 active and reserve fighter pilots refusing military service, as these officers argue that continuing the fighting "serves nothing but narrow personal and political interests" and drains the military institution.
Israeli media reported that the Israeli Air Force Commander Major General Tomer Bar has decided to immediately and permanently dismiss any service members who signed a letter published Thursday morning, while the IOF emphasized that it cannot tolerate members who express a lack of trust in the military.
The letter, endorsed by approximately 1,000 signatories, includes support from both active reservists and retired air force personnel, and criticized the Israeli military's resumption of war on Gaza, claiming it is politically charged rather than strategically motivated.
The letter also addressed the government's push for judicial reforms, the dismissal of Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, and efforts to remove Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, reports indicated.
