Reservist Protests Could Expand, Threatening Israeli Military Readiness

A growing number of Israelis are choosing to not show up for their reserve duty obligations, and more are threatening to join them.  The movement is a response to the plans by Netanyahu’s government to dramatically “reform” the judicial system in what seems like a transparent attempt to protect the Prime Minister, who faces corruption charges in an ongoing trial.

A former advisor to Yair Lapid, the former PM and current opposition leader, claimed he made the decision  because he has “no choice – I cannot do reserve duty under a regime that is trying to destroy us, and I cannot do reserve duty in an undemocratic country.”

For his part, Lapid falls just short of supporting the movement, but he continues to give it legitimacy.

Like America, it appears the rift between the “left” and the “right” is becoming existential at its core.  For we Americans, we can overcome this turmoil, but for Israel, they are surrounded by enemies, including the Palestinians, who would rather see them dead than live peacefully with them.

Paul Collier

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