Reservists start implementing their service suspension: WSJ

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Wall Street Journal
3 Aug 2023 20:47
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A report by the Wall Street Journal shows that a number of military instructors are skipping duty in accordance with their decision to suspend service.

Israeli military reservists sign a declaration of refusal to report for duty to protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system, in "Tel Aviv", occupied Palestine, July 19, 2023 (AP)

The IOF face a grave challenge as reservist pilots and officers express their discontent with the government's policies.

A recent report by the Wall Street Journal shows that many reservists who have announced suspending their service in protest have started skipping duty.

This, the report explains, is evidenced by a drop in the number of instructors showing up for duty in recent pilot-training courses, raising concerns about the military's operational capabilities.

One of the protesting instructors tells the journal that with time, the absences will impact the training schedule of "Israel’s" air force cadets.

“It is like a car: leave it in the garage for a year and it won’t work,” one of them was quoted saying.

In fact, the majority of instructors with decades of experience are reservists, the report points out, and there is no clear replacement for them.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the protest party, "Brothers in Arms", has garnered support from thousands of reservists who have signed letters or spoken directly to commanders, announcing their refusal to report for duty.

The primary concern of the reservists suspending their service lies with the government's attempt to pass legislation aimed at restricting the authority of the Supreme Court, which they believe undermines the principles of democracy and the rule of law.

In light of the dire situation in the IOF, "Israel's" military chief of staff has held meetings with officers ranked colonel and above to address the issue of political disagreement within the ranks, the report points out. The divisions have started seeping into the regular forces, making it essential for the military to address the matter proactively.

One of the main concerns is the impact on the air force, with hundreds of air force reservists suspending their service as part of the protest. This includes active fighter pilots, drone operators, navigators, and instructors, who play a vital role in ensuring the entity's security.

“The reserve pilots are a cornerstone of the Air Force’s operational ability to reach its goals, and their contribution to "Israel’s" security is significant,” the Israeli military said when asked about the hundreds of air force reservists refusing to serve.

“At present, the Air Force is fully capable and ready to operate. Failure to report for an extended period may put the [Israel Occupation Forces] and the Air Force in a state of decreased competence and readiness for war."