Israeli army admits: war readiness damaged by reservists' duty-ditch
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The occupation army's spokesperson warns that air force members who boycotted their service have caused harm to the military's performance.
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Israeli occupation forces - paratroopers division - marching as part of military exercise (AFP)
The Israeli occupation army admitted publicly for the first time that its war readiness has been severely impacted due to reservists in the Air Force refusing to serve in protest of the government's judicial reform plan.
Talking to Channel 12, the army's spokesperson Daniel Hagari that a “significant number” of servicemembers ditching service was in the air force, which has resulted in "limited harm in some areas."
Thousands of reservists from critical units, on top of which is the Air Force, began declaring their refusal to show up for service until the reforms are suspended. This has pushed the entity deeper into what was described by its officials and analysts as the most dangerous period it has ever witnessed.
Read more: In protest of judicial overhaul, 100s of reservists announced evasion
"Israel is days away from harming the competence of the Israeli Air Force," the spokesperson warned last month. "If the [military personnel's] threats to refuse service are carried out, the efficiency of the Israeli army will be greatly damaged."
Claiming that the IOF are ready for an armed conflict, Hagari continued "but there is limited harm in some areas,” especially when it comes to the pilot instructors.
“People who leave everything, once a week, and go to train the young pilots. A significant number are deciding not to come.”
Citing some reservists who have joined the boycott campaign, The Telegraph reported that they declared committing to protests even if the occupation entity enters a war. Otherwise, their movement would become meaningless, they added.
Read more: Reservists start implementing their service suspension: WSJ
Recent anti-judicial reforms protests have positioned two political camps in the face of each other, with one being led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the other by former Prime Minister Yair Lapid who also leads the opposition, in a head-butting competition.
Violent clashes are erupting on an almost daily basis between the opposition and police controlled by Netanyahu's allies, as Israeli settlers demonstrate against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul.
According to the Israeli media, veterans of the Israeli elite units said, "The situation in the army is worse than described, and the wave of refusal to serve extends from reservists to the permanent forces."
