Hundreds of Israeli reserve soldiers marched in Tel Aviv today, Wednesday, threatening to refuse voluntary service if the government proceeds with its plan to limit the authority of the Supreme Court. Protests intensified as the parliamentary vote on one of these amendments is approaching on Sunday and Monday next week. One minister stated that "the government could reconsider its divisive efforts to pass the judicial amendments if the protests escalate significantly."
The protests from reserve soldiers, including pilots and special forces units, have drawn particular attention as senior defense officials expressed concern that the protests pose a threat to national security. The protesters believe that the proposed amendments undermine Israel's democratic values and violate the "unwritten contract" with its armed forces, according to Lieutenant Colonel Ron Shirf from a reconnaissance unit in the Israeli army's general staff.
Shirf told Reuters, "Every soldier who risks their life and takes on missions does so for a state recognized as Jewish and democratic. But if we drop one of these definitions—if the state is no longer Jewish or no longer democratic—it will not remain a state worth protecting."
Protest organizers shared with Reuters 300 letters from military doctors stating they would not serve, and they published a letter signed by 750 reserve soldiers in special operations units saying they would not comply with service if the amendment is passed. Refusing voluntary service is not a violation of military or civilian law, and thus cannot be punished. Some reserve soldiers clarified that if Israel enters a state of emergency, they would comply with emergency call-ups.
