Avishai Cohen, a reserve soldier in the Israeli army, describes his decision to refuse military service as the hardest of his life. He claims he is prepared to face the consequences, including potential imprisonment, due to his protest against efforts to limit judicial authority. Cohen is among a growing number of reserve soldiers stating they will abstain from service in protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government initiatives aimed at modifying judicial laws, as they view these moves as a threat to Israeli democracy.
This reflects the deep division in Israel regarding these plans, with repercussions extending to the military, which has played a crucial role in the survival of the state that has fought several wars since its establishment in 1948. Cohen, 42, announced his decision on social media after the ruling coalition, led by Netanyahu's religious and nationalist parties, approved the first legal amendment in its plan in the Knesset on Monday, which reduced some of the powers of the Supreme Court.
Cohen recalled his late grandmother, a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp, while contemplating his decision. He stated to Reuters, "I remember she told us it is our duty... to serve and protect our country." Critics have accused Netanyahu of authoritarianism in his attempt to curtail the Supreme Court's powers, which has historically acted as a check on the government. Supporters of the amendments argue they are necessary to achieve a balance between branches of government and dismiss claims that these changes jeopardize Israeli democracy.
The military acknowledged a rise in requests from reserve soldiers for exemption from service and senior military leaders warned that this may threaten Israel's readiness for war. The military declined to provide Reuters with numbers regarding how many reserve soldiers have informed their commanders that they will not comply with service.
**The Last Straw**
The Israeli military has engaged in several major wars with Arab states since the establishment of Israel in 1948, and more recently, it has fought enemies supported by Iran, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon. Ongoing operations include raids on Palestinian militants in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where violence has intensified for over 15 months. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated on Tuesday that the Israeli army is "ready to fight and will remain ready to fight" despite the protests from reserve soldiers, whom he accused of attempting to "point a gun at the head of the government."
Alongside regular soldiers, many branches in the Israeli army rely on reserve soldiers who undergo regular training and are called up during wars. Israeli law does not punish individuals classified as volunteer reserve soldiers if they refuse service. However, reserve soldiers like Cohen, who identifies as a combat soldier, must comply with call-up orders until they reach the age of 45, or they risk facing penalties.
Cohen served as a soldier in the West Bank and later became an activist for human rights, authoring a book critical of Israel's treatment of Palestinians and its occupation of Palestinian territories. His father and brothers also served in the Israeli army. Cohen stated he continued to serve despite his criticisms of Israeli policies in the West Bank, saying, "I am still determined that I must contribute to the protection of my country." However, the vote on Monday was "the straw that broke the camel's back." He remarked, "Perhaps it was the hardest decision I made in my life," adding that he hopes other soldiers will follow his lead.
Before the vote on Monday, protest leaders indicated that thousands of volunteer reserve soldiers would not respond to service if the government continued to make changes to the judicial system. Last week, more than 1,100 air force reserve soldiers threatened to cease compliance with call-up orders. Additionally, 750 reserve soldiers signed another letter seen by Reuters last week, stating that they would not respond to orders to serve.
One reserve soldier, requesting anonymity for security reasons, mentioned that 300 individuals joined a WhatsApp group run by reserve soldiers in special operations who plan to stop serving. The group has now grown to 650 members. Reuters reviewed dozens of text messages purportedly from reserve soldiers to their commanders indicating they would no longer serve.
Retired helicopter pilot Jay Buran, 67, who leads a group of air force reserve soldiers opposing the judicial amendments, stated that several pilots would refuse to serve following the parliament's approval of one of the amendments. The soldiers await the outcome as the Supreme Court announced on Wednesday it would consider an appeal against the new law, potentially issuing a ruling to overturn it. Buran noted that it is currently impossible to quantify the number of pilots who will cease to serve, but the announcement that they would stop volunteering for reserve duty represents a "significant blow and major change" for the air force.
