Dozens of Israel Air Force reservists said Wednesday they'll refuse to show up for duty if the government moves ahead with a contentious plan to reform the judiciary.
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The threat comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would proceed with the legislation after talks with the Opposition to find a compromise faltered. Coalition legislators have since been advancing a legal change to what's known as the "reasonability standard" that critics say would allow the government to pass arbitrary decisions and grant it too much power.
Israeli media reported that 110 air force veterans signed the letter Wednesday saying that if the Knesset passes the law that's moving through the chamber now, or any other law proposed as part of the reform, the reservists will not show up for duty.
"Legislation like this grants the government limitless power with no restraint by the judiciary and it will bring us to a point of no return," the letter said. "We will not serve the military of a country that is not democratic."
Airmen are seen as the cream of the military's personnel and irreplaceable elements of many of Israel's battle plans. Similar letters from reservists in other forces have also been issued in recent days.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony of military officers, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant criticized the renewed threats by airmen and other officers to stop reporting for duty.
"The calls for refusal and the threats to stop volunteering undermine the basic values of the army as the people's army – and threaten its competence," he said. "Anyone who calls for refusal is not acting as part of a legitimate protest. He is harming the most important thing we have – the security of the state of Israel."
Netanyahu also spoke out against the refuseniks.
"There are no grounds for refusal to serve, on any side, nor will there be. We have one country, one army and one home," he said. "We will stand guard over our home like brothers and sisters, and if the day comes, we will stand behind the flag united, and be determined like an iron fist."
The dissent within military ranks over the judicial changes comes at a delicate time, as the IDF faces threats on multiple fronts and surging violence in Judea and Samaria.
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