Elite Israeli reserve fighter pilots and intelligence officers boycott training to protest against Netanyahu's right-wing government
Ariel Schalit/AP Photo
- Reserve pilots in a top Israeli air force squadron are boycotting training in an anti-government protest.
- Reservists in one of Israel's elite intelligence units are also striking.
- Hundreds of thousands have been protesting a controversial overhaul of the legal system for two months.
The majority of reservists in a top Israeli air force squadron are boycotting training in protest of the government's controversial judicial overhaul.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to overhaul the legal system and is pushing forwards with the plans despite mass protests claiming the move undermines liberal democracy.
Thirty-seven of the 40 reserve pilots in Israeli Air Force's 69th Squadron have joined the protests by refusing to attend pre-scheduled training this week, the Jerusalem Post reports.
The 69th Squadron is one of the air forces' most prestigious units, according to Haaretz. The squadron flies advanced F-15 Thunderbird aircraft that have conducted long-range missions targeting Iranian positions in Syria in recent years, said the Israeli outlet.
This move follows the reservists in the elite IDF 8200 intelligence unit, who are also striking in protest of government actions, the Post said, by not attending certain aspects of training.
The Israel reserve is 465,00-strong, and the mandatory service is part of the national ethos.
"Calls for insubordination hurts the Israeli military's ability to function and carry out its missions," said Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, per The Post.
Amir Levy/Getty Images
According to Reuters, tens of thousands of people across Israel rallied against the law reform last night for the ninth week in a row, which would reduce the Supreme Court's abilities to contest to the legislature and the executive while simultaneously allowing lawmakers to appoint judges without contest.
Critics of this plan say that this will weaken Israel's courts, and reduce civil liberties, per Reuters.
"There's a great danger that Israel will turn into a dictatorship. We came here to demonstrate over and over again until we win," School teacher Ophir Kubitsky, 68, said on Saturday, per Reuters.
Police attacked protesters on Wednesday, firing stun grenades and water guns and the crowds of people that had gathered for nearly two months, according to Reuters.
Protesters responded by screaming "shame" and chanting: "We are the majority, and we are out on the streets."