IAF dismisses reservist navigator for refusing to serve due to resumption of war
Reservist Alon Gur posted online that he won’t serve because Israel ‘abandoned’ its people, has no value for human life; military says Gur’s service ‘was permanently terminated’
An Israeli Air Force reservist navigator was “permanently” dismissed from the military on Tuesday after he posted on social media that he would not show up for reserve duty because of the resumption of fighting in the Gaza Strip.
While the incident was seen as isolated, it harked back to the widespread anti-government protests in recent years, when hundreds of reservists threatened not to show up to duty, including many in the Air Force.
The reservist, Alon Gur, wrote in his post that he told his superiors that “a line was crossed,” that the state “again abandons its citizens in broad daylight,” and that he told them he can serve “no more.”
“I am 43-years-old, married, father of two sweet sons and another sweet daughter,” Gur wrote. “This country is very, very important to me. I have chosen to dedicate my life to trying to create a better future here – and I do it with a lot of optimism and hope even in the darkest moments, because it is impossible otherwise.”
According to Gur, he has been a reserve soldier for the past 16 years, reporting weekly to his duty as a combat navigator in the Air Force. He said he did so “under many governments that I did not vote for and did not always agree with their measures – which I myself implemented.”
“All along, I had faith in the mechanism, in the gatekeepers, and in the pure intentions when it comes to security and human life,” he added. “I believed, and still believe, that this was my job and this is democracy, even when not everything comes easily. That’s what happened on October 7: I immediately reported for duty without hesitation, because that’s what was needed.”
Gur said he served “for hundreds of reserve days” over the past year and a half.
“I did it with a heavy heart,” he said, “but with the understanding that within this [war] there is also a promise for a better future.”
“This morning I broke down,” he wrote. “A few hours ago I met with my squadron commander and informed him that this is it. The line has been crossed.”
“A line was crossed: at the point where the state again abandons its citizens in broad daylight; in which the cynical and cold political considerations exceed every other consideration; where human life has lost their value; where a government assassinates its own gatekeepers in every way possible; where the king becomes more important than the kingdom; No more,” he declared.
Gur was also apparently referring to efforts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recent days to fire the head of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar.
“I am proud of all the years I served in the army,” Gur added. “I will continue to fight for this country in every possible way that is not violent. I will continue to educate for active citizenship, social responsibility and meaningful service in the army – and no, there is no contradiction between my decision and that. I will always continue to believe that things can be different here.”
Responding to Gur’s post, the Israel Defense Forces said, “The aircrew member’s reserve service was permanently terminated” indicating that the military was acting swiftly and decisively to stop further such acts.
According to the Haaretz daily, Gur’s refusal to report for reserve duty was “an isolated case,” but added that a number of senior IDF officials are “concerned” that refusal to serve could become a larger phenomenon among reservists.
The report added that senior military officials are planning to speak with reserve soldiers in various units to look to prevent similar refusals.
At the height of the 2023 protests against the judicial overhaul, hundreds of IDF reservists signed declarations that they would no longer show up for reserve duty in protest of the government advancing its plans to curtail the judiciary.
However, when war erupted in Gaza with the October 7 Hamas-led attacks and massacres, nearly 300,000 reservists showed up for duty, marking the largest-ever call-up of reservists in Israel’s history.
During the war, combat soldiers served on average 136 days in reserves and commanders served 168 days, according to the IDF.
The overall rate of reserve soldiers showing up for duty amid the war has been around 85%, according to the IDF. At the start of the war, the IDF reported high turnout rates, but as the fighting has dragged on, especially in recent months, that number has plummeted.
The Times of Israel Community.