Israeli reservists' resignation prompts controversy, condemnation
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A Knesset member says resigned Air Force reservists are "privileged and despicable."
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An Israeli F-16 pilot poses for a photo near air force fighter jets during the bi-annual multi-national aerial exercise known as the Blue Flag, at "Ovda" airbase near "Eilat", southern occupied Palestine, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021 (AP Photo)
The Israeli protests against the judicial amendments adopted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have posed a direct threat to the Israeli military.
161 officers in the Israeli Air Force have announced they will proceed with their resignation in response to Netanyahu's push for reforms, marking a new stage of protest within the Israeli military's institutions.
Israeli newspaper Maariv quoted Moshe Yaalon, a former Miniter of Security and one of the opposition leaders, saying, "Netanyahu is not allowed to interfere in judicial matters."
The Israeli newspaper, Walla!, said that after the 161 reservists suspended their service, a member of the Knesset was extremely critical of their actions, saying, "A group of privileged people are leaving out our sons to Hamas and Hezbollah," adding that he has never seen "a pilot winning in the war... miserable and despicable. They must be expelled."
Amos Harel, a military affairs expert for Haaretz said that the Israeli Air Force is preparing for the possibility of hundreds of reserve pilots and navigators will move to end their voluntary service in the force, as they understand that such an event will prove essential in countering Netanyahu's plans.
On the other hand, it seems more likely that the occupation's prime minister will consider "softening" the language of the proposed laws during the second and third readings, to appease opposition members. While Haaretz says that only the cessation of the legislative act will stop the actions of reservists.
Read more: Israeli media: Anti-Netanyahu protesters prepare for long night ahead
On Tuesday, Israeli occupation Security Minister Yoav Gallant appealed to Israeli military reservists, saying the Israeli security establishment is in need of reservists to face various threats.
"We are allowed to disagree, we are allowed to debate and discuss, we are allowed to protest, but we are not allowed to harm, in the name of one political opinion or another," Gallant said during an event.
The Israeli minister continued, "We need all the soldiers and all the commanders" to protect the security of "Israel".
On the same day, Israeli settlers led mass protests against the government's proposed reforms, as demonstrators blocked the "Ayalon Highway" in "Tel Aviv" and headed toward Netanyahu's residence in occupied Al-Quds.
Earlier in the day Israeli media outlets said that 37 Israeli settlers were arrested, including six who tried to obstruct a train at the "Tel Aviv" station.
Concurrently, hundreds of settlers staged a demonstration outside the US embassy branch office in "Tel Aviv".
The Israeli Channel 12 said "Israel" will witness a two-hour "warning strike" staged by the "Israel" Medical Association in protest against the judicial overhaul, with the head of the Knesset Health Committee, Uriel Boso, threatening to impose penalties on doctors who will take part in the strike.
In a related context, Israeli "Justice" Minister Yariv Levin, called for a massive demonstration in "Tel Aviv" next Sunday, in support of the judicial overhaul.
In yet another statement that exposes division in Israeli society, Netanyahu said today there are those who believe that some Israelis "are worth more than others."
