Sec. Committee assess impact of boycotting reservists on IOF efficacy

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
26 Jul 2023 16:59
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The Knesset's security committee will hold an official meeting with Security Minister Yoav Galant to assess the combat readiness of the IOF.

Israeli tanks are seen in action during a military drill on December 7, 2021 (AFP)

The Israeli parliament's security committee is scheduled to convene an official meeting with Security Minister Yoav Galant next week to address concerns about the combat readiness of the IOF in the wake of widespread protests against Netanyahu's judicial reform.

The meeting aims to assess the IOF's ability to fulfill its duties effectively in both regular and emergency situations amidst the ongoing reservists' protests.

According to reports from the Galei Zahal radio, this will be the first meeting of its kind since the judicial reform crisis began earlier this year. The situation has escalated in recent weeks, with mass protests against the proposed changes to the Israeli judicial system even reaching the IOF, with reservists from numerous units expressing their discontent.

On Saturday, the Times of Israel newspaper revealed that approximately 10,000 IOF reserve soldiers have declared their refusal to voluntarily report for military duty should the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proceed with its widely opposed judicial reform. This wave of dissent has raised concerns about the potential impact on the IOF's operational readiness and effectiveness.

In a notable display of protest, on July 21, over a thousand reserve soldiers from the Israeli air forces, including 400 on-duty pilots, made a public announcement suspending their service. This act of protest directly targets judicial reform, highlighting the depth of the reservists' concerns and their belief that the proposed changes pose a threat to the nation's security and democratic principles.

Both Israeli military leadership and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have responded to the reservists' protests, emphasizing that the refusal to fulfill military duties by reservists can compromise the country's security and weaken the capabilities of the IOF. Netanyahu further emphasized that, in a democratic system, the armed forces must adhere to orders from the elected government, underscoring the importance of maintaining civilian control over the military.

Earlier this week, the Knesset passed in a final vote a bill to introduce limitations on the "reasonableness law", which prompts the government to sideline the Supreme Court's power to veto or review decisions made by the ruling echelon, represented today by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition.

Protesters organized a demonstration against the bill, which is a cornerstone of Netanyahu's judicial reform plan. Angry settlers gathered in massive crowds outside the Knesset before and during the Knesset session.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu left the room just after casting his vote and ahead of the cabinet announcing its final decision and has so far maintained silence while the occupation is in flames.

Violent clashes broke out between demonstrators against the overhaul and occupation police ahead of the vote and later intensified after the cabinet greenlighted the legislation. Ongoing attempts by settlers to storm the Knesset have been brutally faced by law enforcement using water cannons and mounted officers to disperse the angry crowds.

Netanyahu-affiliated "Justice" Minister Yariv Levin congratulated the coalition on the approval of the disputed legislation, considering that the right-wing parties took "the first step in a historic process to correct the judicial system."

Echoing Yariv's joy, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich praised the ruling and blamed the opposition for the negotiations reaching a dead end ahead of the vote, accusing the latter of refusing to offer compromises.

The loudest statement, however, came from Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who announced that this is "only the beginning."

"For the sake of a more Jewish and more democratic State of Israel, we must pass the rest of the reform, first of all changing the composition of the committee for selecting judges and changing the powers of the prosecutors."