more than 10,000 Reservists who Protest against the legal Revolution - We will not serve

Significant development: Another ten thousand reservists will not be enlisted for service if the reform legislation is passed and especially if the cancellation of the deterrence cause is approved in the second and third readings of the Knesset. The Chief of Staff will be forced to announce that the IDF is unfit for war.

 Fifty more aircrew members join in the decision not to volunteer for reserve service, thus increasing their number to almost 1,200. Over a thousand aircrew members, control system operators, drone operators, and special units in the Israeli Air Force have declared their intention to halt their service in the reserves if the legislation related to the "legal revolution" is not halted. A letter bearing the signatures of 1,192 reservists was submitted to the commander of the Air Force on Friday, urging the government and members of the Knesset to demonstrate leadership and seek broad agreements.

The legislation in question seeks to cancel the "reasonableness clause," which had already undergone approval for a second and third reading in the Knesset plenum earlier in the week. The final vote on the bill is expected to take place on Monday afternoon, following a marathon 26-hour preliminary hearing where the opposition can voice 140 reservations against the proposed legislation.

If enacted, the law will prevent the court from expressing judicial criticism through the reason of reasonableness against the prime minister, ministers, and the government. This includes matters related to appointments and failures to exercise authority. This, in turn, could limit the court's oversight on government decisions, leading to concerns about potential abuse of power and a lack of accountability.

The reservists' letter highlights the urgency of the situation, stating that the nation is on the brink of destruction and calls for stopping the division and polarization that has emerged. It emphasizes that the Jewish and democratic nature of Israel, as enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, forms the foundation of the consensus in Israeli society, which has motivated their dedication and sacrifice in serving the country under various political governments.

The signatories firmly assert that legislation impacting the essence of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state must be subjected to consultation and broad public consent to maintain the trust of all sections of the population in the judicial system.

Each of the 1,142 reservists pledges to suspend their volunteering for the reserves if the legislation passes, citing concerns about the potential harm to the security of Israel and the loss of trust in the country's leadership.

In response to the reservists' announcement, officials in the IDF have downplayed the impact, stating that this is not the first letter of its kind and that there is no policy to address threatening letters. They also clarified that they will verify the names in the letter, as there was an overlap between previous signatories and those declaring their refusal several months ago.

Thus far, more than 400 officers and pilots in the reserve have directly informed their commanders about their intention to terminate their service due to the legal revolution legislation. The IDF has decided not to release specific data related to readiness for war to avoid adversaries obtaining sensitive information.

The Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gabir, who did not serve in the IDF, responded to the letter's submission by criticizing the refusal of service, warning that refusal is dangerous for the country.

The "Reserve Protest" organization expressed support for the pilots' announcement, stating that their commitment to defending Israel is now intertwined with the fight for democracy. The organization calls on the government to halt the legislation, arguing that the country's democracy and the People's Army are at stake.

Former Shin Bet chief Nadav Argaman backed the officers and pilots, stating that the proposed legislation undermines the values enshrined in the spirit of the IDF and could justify acts of non-appearance.

The situation remains tense as the final vote on the legal revolution legislation draws near, and concerns over its potential impact on Israel's democratic principles and military integrity continue to be a point of contention among various stakeholders.