IAF pilots threaten to abstain from service over 'judicial reform'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli Media
9 Mar 2023 00:53

Israeli media say great tension broke out within the Israeli occupation military due to the government's "judicial reform".

Israeli occupation fighter jets fly over occupied Palestine, Jan. 2020 (IOF spokesperson)

About 20 Israeli representatives of flight squadrons and air force command and control units told Israeli occupation military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi on Tuesday that most reservist air crews will stop flying if the "judicial reform" of the Israeli occupation government passes, Israeli media reported.

During a meeting with the representatives, Halevi promised to reprimand the Israeli government over the insults that some politicians tossed at reservist pilots after most of Squadron 69’s reservists said they wouldn’t show up for a training day on Wednesday.

However, after a compromise was reached, the reservists agreed to come to the "Hatzerim" airbase and hold a conversation with the base commander Brigadier General Guy Davidson.

Davidson warned that "the Middle East is full of Israel’s enemies. The air force, its power and the deterrence it creates are the power that keeps the Middle East in line," underlining that reservists must act responsibly and not cause damage to the Israeli occupation military.

According to a summary of Tuesday's meeting, the representatives briefed Halevi on the situation in their squadrons, where there is "a growing level of worry."

"The situation in most squadrons is that a very significant portion will not continue to fly if the reform passes in its current format," the summary read.

It added that "some feel that we're in a war for our home" and for "Israel" and "are willing to do anything they can to save it."

Halevi asked the reservists to leave the Israeli occupation military outside the current turmoil, adding that "Israel" "can’t do without the army’s deterrent power."

Congestion in the Israeli military is very huge

In the same context, Israeli media also reported that 600 members of the Maglan and Shin Bet security unit graduates joined petitions opposing the Israeli government's "judicial reform".

On his part, Israeli Channel 12 military affairs commentator Nir Dvori considered that "congestion in the Israeli military is very huge, and it is in its infancy," noting that "the big test is still ahead of Israel, and it may be soon."

A few days ago, Israeli media quoted Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying that refusing conscription in the "army" cannot be tolerated and that it threatens "Israel's existence", referencing the recent cases of noncompliance.

Former Israeli occupation air force commanders urged in a letter on Monday Netanyahu and Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to halt the legislative procedures on the judicial reform and find an immediate solution to the current situation.

In addition, some 130 occupation officers and soldiers in the Yahalom special unit signed a petition to Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant informing him that they would face difficulty serving in the occupation army in case the "judicial reform" passes.

Elsewhere, an officer in the Israeli air force resigned, and Israeli pilots threatened to stop volunteering in reserve service.