Israeli media reported that 300 doctors in the reserve had officially informed the chief medical officer in the occupation army that they would not continue working for the reserve if the judicial amendments are approved in the third reading.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz confirmed that about 300 reservists in the Israeli military medical corps, including working doctors, "stopped reporting for service." The newspaper also reported that no-show letters were handed over, noting that they were "signed by paramedics, doctors, and mental health officials," at a press conference held at the entrance to the 'Tel Hashomer' medical base.

Officials back out of reserve 

Or Goren, director of the operating room at the Israeli "Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv", who announced the termination of his service during the press conference, said that he completed 30 years of "combat service" as a "combatant and combat medic," stressing that the government imposed this decision on him.

Likewise, Edo Bar Yishai, who worked as a battalion doctor in the occupation army, stated that he wrote in a letter he sent to the chief medical officer, that he is afraid of serving in the army and the occupation, who he believes has leaders that can exercise power without restrictions or control.

In turn, the former head of the Israeli Military Intelligence Division, AMAN, Amos Yadlin, accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "harming Israel's security" in his legislation, which he referred to as a "judicial coup." In an interview with the Israeli newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, he indicated on Wednesday that he is concerned about how the Israeli PM is dealing with "Israel's national security," pointing out in his speech that Netanyahu is most likely going to be harmed by the judicial coup.

Read next: 1,100 Israeli reservists to ditch service over judicial overhaul

Yadlin pointed out that if the doctors refuse to attend training, it could harm the competence and readiness of the reservists, "even if active pilots join, most of our squadrons are made up of reservists, and if they stop volunteering, there will be great damage."

Related News

Gaza death toll rises to 69,182 amid ongoing Israeli violations

Eruption looms in West Bank amid escalating Israeli violence

The former head of AMAN stressed that there is no doubt that Israeli deterrence is weakening, and it has been damaged and eroded, adding that "what Netanyahu is doing today is sabotaging Israel's security." He believes that this is based on what considers the "provocations" of the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, against the occupation entity.

Yadlin's words come amidst intense protests by reservists in the occupation against the ongoing attempts to legislate the judicial amendments.  

Israeli media reports that hundreds of reservists from field units, most of whom belong to the infantry brigades and special units such as the 'Shildag and Shayetet 13,' announced that they would sign a document not to volunteer for reserve service.

According to the announcement last night, 161 senior officers of the Air Force Command have ceased volunteering for service, after the occupation's Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, stated earlier before the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Security that "those who call for non-compliance with service harm the Israeli army and state security." 

Gallant appeals to reservists not to end voluntary military service

Earlier 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 threats against the occupation, Israeli media reported.

This comes amid a wave of threats by Israeli military reservists to end their voluntary service over the Israeli occupation government's plan to approve the controversial judicial overhaul that would limit the power of the Supreme Court. "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".

Reservist abstention of service threatens Israeli security

Earlier this week, Brigadier General Amir Avivi said that the decision of some reservists to abstain from service, in protest of the judicial overhaul, endangers the security of "Israel" and the unity of the IOF, Israeli news website Maariv reported. 

Avivi raised this issue during a radio interview, in which he addressed the anxiety among Israeli soldiers in regard to the recent incidents with Hezbollah on the Lebanese-Palestenian borders, adding that responsible officials should firmly address the attempts at damaging the border fence, noting that such incidents could weaken Israeli deterrence in the long run. 

When the fence was violated in the West Bank, this was dealt with using fire, Avivi compared, warning that "Israel" must not show any inclination of deterrence deterioration. 

"The moment we had compromised on the gas agreement, marks a moment of deterioration. Israel must be firmer across the border," Avivi added.