Israeli army’s readiness for war hampered by protesting reservists
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Israel’s readiness for war is under threat from air force reservists refusing to serve in protest at the government’s controversial judicial reforms, the army has admitted for the first time.
In an interview with Israeli broadcaster Channel 12, Daniel Hagari, the spokesman for Israel Defence Forces (IDF), said a “significant number” of those not turning up for duty were in the air force.
“You asked about readiness, the IDF is ready for war, but there is limited harm in some areas,” he said, adding that pilot instructors were a particular source of concern. “People who leave everything, once a week, and go to train the young pilots. A significant number are deciding not to come.”
Tens of thousands of Israelis have mounted weekly mass protests against Benjamin Netanyahu’s hugely controversial legal overhaul, which they say amounts to a “coup”.
Critics of the sweeping reforms say they will neuter the judiciary and remove key checks and balances on the government, creating a “dictatorship”. Mr Netanyahu, Israel’s longest serving prime minister, says the legislation is necessary as unelected judges wield too much influence over ministers.
Some protesters have resorted to the drastic step of refusing reserve duty in Israel, where military service is compulsory, as a means of putting further pressure on the government.
The IDF has previously warned that combat readiness would be affected if a large number of reservists stopped turning up for their duties but have not given specific figures.
The disclosure will be seized upon by Israel’s enemies who have been closely watching the political chaos created by the reforms and ensuing protests.
Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hizbollah in Lebanon, has claimed that the furore shows Israel is heading for “collapse,” with similar statements coming from Israel’s arch-foe Iran.
“Today, in particular, is the worst day in the history of the entity [Israel], as some of its people say. This is what puts it on the path of collapse, fragmentation, and disappearance,” Mr Nasrallah said at a rally in July.
Some reservists who are refusing duty have told The Telegraph that even if war breaks out between Israel and its regional foes they will not be cancelling their protest. Otherwise it would be rendered meaningless, they say.
But others have signalled they would return to duty for the duration of a war or security escalation and then resume protesting afterwards.
