• Ar
  • Es
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Feature
  • Videos
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Feature
Videos
Infographs
In Pictures
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Palestine
  4. Protests in 'Israel' grow alongside number of IOF deserters
Palestine

Protests in 'Israel' grow alongside number of IOF deserters

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Israeli Media
  • 1 Mar 11:14

Israeli media is highlighting the crisis of IOF reserve deserters if the government of presiding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to move forward with the judicial amendments.

  • Israelis hold a giant banner depicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, to protest protest plans by his new government to overhaul the judicial system, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 (AP).
    Israelis hold a giant banner depicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, to protest protest plans by his new government to overhaul the judicial system, in "Tel Aviv", "Israel", Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 (AP).

Mass demonstrations in "Israel" against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continue to grow. Israeli media reported on Wednesday that the demonstrations spread to the extent that major roads were blocked by protestors.

On February 26, the Israeli media highlighted "the widening of the protests" and added that "hundreds of members of the security services" have joined the demonstrations against the judicial amendments.

IOF reserve desertions harm the security of 'Israel'

The Israeli Occupation's Security Minister Yoav Gallant announced on Wednesday that every call to desert armed service in the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) is an attack on "Israel's" security.

For his part, the former Israeli Security Minister, Omer Bar-Lev, said on Tuesday, that desertions could become increasingly possible if the "judicial revolution" is approved.

Bar-Lev, in an interview also called for fighting, with any means possible, as soon as the "judicial revolution takes effect."

The former minister explained, "Most of those serving in the reserves are volunteers and as soon as they get worried about a coup or revolution, they will definitely stop volunteering."

Bar-Lev's statements came in response to the words of former occupation Security Minister Benny Gantz, who ruled out yesterday, calls to refuse conscription into the reserves.

Read more: IOF losing steam amid ongoing antigovernmental protests: Haaretz

Bar-Lev defended his point of view, saying, "Those soldiers and officers are defending 'Israel' while endangering their lives. It is their right to withdraw and stop the decision to volunteer for service."

Last week, more than 100 IOF officers in the "Special Operations System" affiliated with Military Intelligence, including generals, signed a petition warning: "If the legislation continues, we will not continue to serve, and we will no longer serve in the reserves."

It is noteworthy that about 2,000 demonstrators from the Israeli IOF reserve organized marches in Al-Quds last February against judicial reforms.

Most serious IOF reserve crisis since the October War

According to Israeli media, the IOF is concerned about a serious crisis in the IOF reserves, following the anti-Netanyahu government protests.

An official in the IOF told Haaretz that the army is facing "the most serious reserve crisis since the Yom Kippur War (October 1973)."

Hundreds of Israeli officers threaten to desert IOF reserve service

Yesterday, hundreds of reserve officers in Military Intelligence Unit 8200 in the IOF warned that they "will not volunteer to serve if the judicial amendment plan" adopted by the Netanyahu government is passed.

In a letter they sent to Security Minister Yoav Gallant, Chief of Staff Harzi Halevi, and Chief of Military Intelligence (Aman) Aaron Halifa, the reserve forces said, "We warn you that we are observing a disturbing accumulation of signs that warn of real fears for Israel's safety and security," as cited by Channel 13. 

A few days ago, Israeli media reported the resignation of an officer in the Israeli Air Force, in protest against the draft judicial amendments.

Judiciary Reforms

The proposed legislation would prevent courts from overturning any amendments made by the government to "Israel's" quasi-constitutional "Basic Laws", in addition to giving more weight to the government in the judge selection committee.

The legislation undermining the occupation's judiciary's independence is fundamental to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration, which is comprised of a coalition of extremist Zionist parties. 

Occupation President Isaac Herzog, who had been aiming to mediate the crisis between the ruling Israeli parties and the opposition, voiced concern over the divisiveness of the legislation, whereby it threatens the unity of the settler population.

Read more: Ex-Mossad chief says 'Israel' lost deterrence following operation

  • Palestine
  • Israeli occupation forces
  • Israeli occupation
  • IOF
  • "Israel"
  • Protests
  • Benjamin Netanyahu
  • judicial reform plan
'Israel' Eroding From Within

'Israel' Eroding From Within

Over the past month, upheaval and chaos took the Israeli occupation entity by storm. Violent clashes erupted between the opposition and police, as Israeli settlers protest against the government’s judicial reforms. Appeals for civil disobedience and riots have been met with stern warnings from both sides, as political rifts are widening and warning against the outbreak of a “civil war”.

Trending Now

All
Palestinian youths under the age of 18 detained in Israeli prisons

Palestinian Prisoners' Club: IOF detain over 750 children in 2022

Most Read

US dollar may lose status as global reserve currency: Yellen

US dollar may lose status as global reserve currency: Yellen

  • US & Canada
  • 22 Mar
Rallies held in Washington DC to protest US militarism

Peace rallies held in Washington DC to protest US militarism

  • US & Canada
  • 18 Mar
Iran–Saudi Deal: Not a Diplomatic Normalisation, But An ‘Architecture’

Iran–Saudi Deal: Not a Diplomatic Normalisation, But An ‘Architecture’

  • Analysis
  • 19 Mar
Poland

Poland may end up 'joining' Ukraine war: Polish Ambassador to France

  • Europe
  • 20 Mar

Read this

All
'Israel' heading to dangerous place: Shin Bet head to Netanyahu
Palestine

'Israel' heading to dangerous place: Shin Bet head to Netanyahu

  • Today
The Los Angeles Police Department headquarters building is seen downtown Los Angeles, Friday, July 8, 2022  (AP)
US & Canada

Investigation launched after undercover LAPD officers info exposed

  • Today
In this Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, file photo, a father gives water to his malnourished daughter at a feeding center in a hospital in Al Hudaydah, Yemen. (AP)
MENA

Yemeni children lives at stake by aid funding shortfall: UNICEF

  • Today
An asteroid estimated to be 40-90 metres in diameter will pass between Earth and the moon on Saturday US time. Photograph: Nasa (AFP)
Miscellaneous

'City killer' asteroid to pass harmlessly between Earth, moon's orbit

  • Today
Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS