The decision by 130 Israeli soldiers, reservists and conscripts, that say they will no longer report for duty raised concerns with Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government. Netanyahu said during a cabinet meeting held Thursday evening, October 10, regarding the objection of one hundred and thirty soldiers to the service that they were “missing the national conscience,” stressing that any attempt to refuse military service must be uprooted.
For his part, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant threatened to work “harshly” against the manifestations of denial of service. Minister of Transport Miri Regev, former army’s spokeswoman, also called for the imprisonment of the 130 young men who refused to serve. Minister Regev also attacked the army’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Amir Baram over the army’s failure to take severe steps against 130 soldiers.
Appalled by what they see as a far-right spirit sweeping the army and feeling anger at the abandonment of the hostages, 130 reservists and conscripts say Tuesday they will no longer report for duty if PM Netanyahu fails to strike a deal with Hamas
One hundred of teenagers attending an anti-war event in central Tel Aviv hosted by the city’s Communist Youth League of Israel, with MK Ayman Odeh, Nadav Weiman from “Breaking the Silence” and a Reem Hazan, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Israel, Thursday, October 10, 2024 (Photo: Zo Haderech)
“Today it is clear that the continuation of the war in the Gaza Strip not only delays the return of the hostages from captivity but also endangers their lives,” they wrote. “We, who are currently serving or have served with dedication, risking our lives, hereby announce that if the government does not immediately change direction and work towards a deal to bring the hostages home, we will no longer be able to continue serving.”
“For some of us, the red line has already been crossed; for others, it is approaching,” they added, but did not specify when they intend to act.” The letter was published in the Zo Haderech website. In Israel, a soldier refusing an order based on ideological motives can be punished by demotion in rank, probation or imprisonment.
Max Kresch, a 28-year-old American Israeli originally from Michigan who served as a combat medic during his service, said in an interview to Channel 13 that he signed the letter because he was unhappy with how the war had been handled. A year after the conflict began, “it doesn’t seem like we’re any closer to getting the hostages home,” he said, adding that he felt the far-right government was “refusing to secure a hostage deal.” His trust in the government had “eroded to the point where I don’t feel comfortable serving, putting my life in danger for the continuation of this.”
Related: https://maki.org.il/en/?p=32149
