Israel’s military reservists criticize judicial reform

Deutsche Welle :
Former air force pilot Guy Poran gulps down a coffee and quickly eats a homemade sandwich before his next interview. It’s a rare break for Poran, who represents a group of about 1,300 Israeli ex-pilots and reservists known as Forum 555. He’s been in high demand since several groups of defense force reservists have raised their voices in protest against Israel’s judicial reforms.
“It’s been busy days,” he says. Poran has spent the past few weeks giving interviews explaining why the reservists he represents are critical of the legal overhaul proposed by the far-right coalition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
None of the reservists have yet to refuse an order, Poran says. But the air force volunteers have made it clear that if the coalition passes the legislation, the reservists wouldn’t be able to continue serving in the defense force.
“We’re volunteers. If this country isn’t democratic anymore … we’re just not going to volunteer anymore,” he tells DW.
The proposed legislation curtails the power of the judiciary and gives parliament the power to appoint judges. In the past, the Supreme Court has on rare occasions canceled laws enacted by parliament. Controversially, a clause in the new law would enable the Knesset to override such a decision by the Supreme Court with a simple majority.
Critics are concerned that this will erode democratic norms and concentrate power in the government.
Huge nationwide rallies against the reforms have been ongoing for almost three months. But it’s only recently that opposition to the bill has spread within military ranks.
Two weeks ago, reserve pilots from the country’s elite Squadron 69 threatened to stop taking part in training in protest of the controversial overhaul.
In a letter circulated in the media on Sunday, at least 450 reservists from military special forces, as well as from cyber units including the Mossad and the Shin Bet intelligence agencies, said they would refuse call-ups if the legislation is voted in.
Israeli media reported on Tuesday that another reservist group calling itself Brothers in Arms said it would begin to ask its members to sign a ‘refusal to serve’ declaration should the government go ahead with the reforms.
If the overhaul bills are passed, “we and tens of thousands more with us will stop volunteering for reserve duty,” Ron Scherf, one of the founders of Brothers in Arms, was quoted as saying in the Times of Israel.
Israeli men and women are usually conscripted into the military for two to three years. Afterward, some continue to enlist for reserve duties well into their forties and later become volunteers. In some units, reservists take on essential roles because of their experience and skills.