A reserve pilot who opposes the judicial reform defended Monday a group of his fellow airmen who announced they would not show up for part of their call-up duty in protest of the legislation.
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"Don't call us conscientious objectors, don't erase twenty years of service," Major R. said. This week, he attended a meeting with Commander of the Israel Air Force Tomer Bar to discuss the controversial bills.
"I believe with all my heart that it is important that I continue to fly, but we are in distress, and we expressed this to our commander. This is not a political matter, they are trying to pull the rug out from under the Declaration of Independence," Major R. said.
On Sunday, 37 F-15 pilots and navigators from the 69th Squadron said they would skip drills scheduled for Wednesday and instead "devote our time to dialogue and reflection for the sake of democracy and national unity".
The announcement garnered harsh criticism, including from other reserve pilots. Responding to their disapproval, Major R. explained, "I am part of a group and we took the legitimate path of contacting the commander of the Israel Air Force to explain to him that we are in an impossible situation."
Bar, in turn, has vowed to protect pilots from being vilified in the media but urged them to show up for duty when called up. As of Tuesday, no reserve pilot has skipped out on their service in protest of the reform yet, and according to Major. R., perhaps none will.
"The story with the 69th Squadron is simply a spin that got out of control. No one there said he refused to serve. Thirty-seven pilots wanted to meet and discuss the situation among themselves; a few of them were called to reserve duty that day, but [because of the meeting] they canceled.
"I too sometimes cancel my reserve duty for various reasons. If someone decides to do so [cancel their reserve duty in protest of the reform], that is their personal decision. But for now, we have not reached that point yet. We understand the implications and are therefore proceeding with caution," Major R. said.
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