Gantz: National rift seeping into IDF, ‘part of the damage is already irreparable’

National Unity party leader Benny Gantz says from the Knesset rostrum that he is concerned that social divisions tied to the coalition’s plan to sap the judiciary of power are spilling over into the Israel Defense Forces, as 10,000 reservists say they will not show up for voluntary duty in protest.

While Israeli politics generally endeavors to “keep the IDF outside of disagreements,” Gantz says that “my fear is that’s not the case today.”

Politicizing the military “is a national mistake and it’s a very grave leadership failure,” says Gantz, while clarifying that “those serving in the IDF aren’t the ones creating the problem, they’re the ones affected by the problem.”

Gantz calls on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop his coalition’s judicial overhaul, saying it would not be giving in to opposition and protester pressure, but rather a show of responsibility.

“Part of the damage is already irreparable,” Gantz claims, insisting on urgency.