Protests in 'Israel' grow alongside number of IOF deserters

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli Media
1 Mar 2023 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).

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.

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.