Israel's Air Force Reservists join protests

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From 'Breaking Defense':

JERSUALEM — Though Israeli lawmakers today passed the first key legislation related to a controversial judicial overhaul, the vote took place amid a backdrop of vocal, widespread domestic protests that have spread into Israel’s military reservist ranks, alarming senior Israeli officials.

More than 1,000 Israeli air force reservists announced late last week they could end their voluntary service as their part of the protest. The air force reservists have since been joined by another 10,000 reservists from elsewhere in Israeli Defense Forces, though it’s thought the air force veterans could carry more influence. Senior Israeli military officers acknowledged the crisis had spread through the reservist ranks.

Air force reservists are a particularly sensitive part of the growing calls to stop the legislation because the branch is part a key part of its qualitative military edge in the region and are seen as an “elite” service members. During a pilot graduation ceremony in 2022, then-Minister of Defense Benny Gantz, who now is one of the leading opponents of the reform legislation, highlighted the pilots’ importance, saying they, “who control the stick, hold the responsibility for the security of the State of Israel.”

Full Story:

https://breakingdefense.com/2023/07/as- ... ing-point/


According to NBC:

"While Israel has mandatory military service for young people, it still relies on experienced reservists for many roles. That is especially true in the Air Force, where in some squadrons half of the pilots are reservists rather than full-time airmen. Reservist officers can have weeks where they carry out strikes on Syria one day and are back at their civilian jobs the next."