Nearly 500 military intel reservists suspend volunteer service to protest overhaul

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Illustrative: IDF reservists patrolling along the Lebanese border near the Israeli village of Zar'it. (Roy Sharon/Flash90)
Illustrative: IDF reservists patrolling along the Lebanese border near the Israeli village of Zar'it. (Roy Sharon/Flash90)

Nearly 500 active reservists in the Military Intelligence Directorate have issued a letter announcing that they are suspending their volunteer reserve duty in protest of the government’s plans to overhaul the judicial system.

The reservists call on the government to “immediately stop the dictatorial moves that violate the contract between the government of Israel and its citizens.”

“Although we have called many times for negotiations and broad agreements on the issues at hand, unfortunately, not only did the negotiations at the president’s residence not go well, but the government continues to advance the coup all the more forcefully,” the letter says.

The reservists say they are informing their commanders, “with great sadness, that we are suspending our volunteering for reserve service until further notice.”

The letter, addressed to the head of the Military Intelligence Directorate, Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva, is signed by 904 reservists, 487 of whom show up frequently for duty.

Most Popular