The IDF declared on Thursday that it plans to dismiss several hundred reservists from the Air Force who had signed a public letter urging a halt to the ongoing military campaign.
This marks a shift in approach from former military leaders like ex-IDF chief Herzi Halevi and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, who, despite disapproving of such actions, were willing to tolerate reservists’ protests as long as they reported for duty. In contrast, current IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir is adopting a stricter stance, aligning with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s views on the judicial reform issue.
Zamir maintains that regardless of the debate surrounding Netanyahu’s judicial policies, these are decisions made by Israel’s democratically elected government, and the military—including its reservists—must not engage in public opposition to them.
While Halevi and Gallant strongly objected to attempts to leverage reservist service to sway government decisions, they also feared that alienating reservists could damage the military’s readiness. This concern led them to tolerate some degree of public dissent, as long as service obligations were met.
Under their leadership, only a few reservists were discharged—and even then, only after repeatedly refusing to respond to call-up orders, not merely for making public threats to avoid service.
Those leaders believed that this balanced approach prevented the military from unraveling during the political upheaval of 2023. They also laid blame on Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul for weakening military preparedness in the months leading up to the October 7 Hamas attack.
On Thursday, the IDF noted that most of the reservists being dismissed are not currently on active duty. Officials downplayed the impact of the move, insisting that the Air Force remains robust, supported by tens of thousands of personnel.
However, the IDF did not disclose how many of those being removed are serving in an active capacity.
The military also avoided questions about how this move compares to the previous administration’s policies, nor did it comment on Netanyahu’s recent clash with Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar—a confrontation many within the defense community view as undue political interference. The IDF also sidestepped addressing pilots’ growing fears that the judicial changes are exposing them to increased legal risks, especially in relation to potential prosecution by the International Criminal Court.
Meanwhile, a group of current and former Israel Air Force pilots took out paid newspaper ads on Thursday to issue a public call for the immediate rescue of hostages held in Gaza—even if that means halting combat operations.
“The war serves political and personal interests; only an agreement will ensure the safe return of the kidnapped,” they stated.
Reacting to the statement, Defense Minister Yisroel Katz said, “I completely reject the letter of air force reservists and the attempt to harm the legitimacy of this just war which the IDF is leading in Gaza in order to free the hostages and to defeat the murderous terror organization Hamas.”
“I trust the discretion of the IDF chief and the air force chief and am sure they will deal with this improper phenomenon in the right way.”

{Matzav.com}