• Middle East Israel sinks into unprecedented crisis with new street protests

Under a growing state of social unrest and polarization, Israel faces two dramatic weeks inside and outside the Knesset. Before the parliamentary recess in early April, the government intends to approve some of the laws in its draft changes in the judiciary that, due to the unprecedented internal crisis and warnings about the economic effects, may be more moderate than those announced in January. The most contentious point remains the coalition's willingness to have a majority in the commission that appoints judges.

The massive demonstrations in the streets, with a spectacular show of force the day before yesterday on the eleventh consecutive Saturday of protests, are beginning to have palpable effects on the Army. Around 650 reservists have reported that since Sunday they have not presented themselves to voluntary service in protest at the parliamentary progress of the government plan by denouncing that fulminates the separation of powers and judicial independence. The announcement of these officers and soldiers performing Miluim (reserve service) in Aman Special Operations (Military Intelligence) and in the department related to cyber warfare confirms the fears of Army Chief Herzi Halevi that the political-legal-social crisis will penetrate compulsory military service in general and that of the reserve in particular.

At the same time, Air Force reservists (180 pilots, about 50 controllers and about 40 responsible for activating drones) will not show up for the training scheduled in the coming days claiming that it is "two critical weeks in the regime change that they intend so active steps are necessary to stop the unilateral process." Thus, they indicate, they will dedicate themselves to promoting dialogue and fighting in defense of democracy. But not attending Air Force training with all that it means in Israel is an infinitely more effective and symbolic protest than displaying a banner in front of parliament in Jerusalem.

"I notified the squad leader that I can't come. This is not a political issue but a crisis of confidence. I served the country regardless of who governs because I had a high confidence in the state in its democracy and its counterweights. Today, unfortunately, it is not the case in the face of the crazed race of judicial changes, "says a senior officer in his least secret mission in his 30 years of service and clarifies that none has rejected the call to the ranks if it is an operational mission.

In the biggest internal crisis he has dealt with in his more than 15 years as prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu sent a message to Halevi. "I expect the Chief of Staff and the security services to fight with determination against the rejection of service that has no place in the public debate. A country that values life cannot tolerate these phenomena," he said, also calling on Chief Inspector of Police Kobi Shabatai to "enforce the law and avoid violence and roadblocks to allow routine life for citizens." On the other hand, he reiterated the need for reform "to ensure the balance between the three authorities broken in recent decades as it did not happen in any democracy in the world."

"Netanyahu, stop the legislation and the army chief will not have to fight against insubordination, the head of the Shin Bet (internal security service) will not have to fight incitement and the head of the police will be able to return to the fight against terrorism before Ramadan. Everything is in your hands, stop blaming others," replied the head of the opposition, Yair Lapid who demanded a condemnation of the aggressions of radicals against the demonstrators in recent days.

"I am in favor of a broad judicial reform, but we must take into account what is happening in the country. Netanyahu must intervene and stop the legislation to dialogue, "says Likud deputy David Bitan in favor of freezing the reform at a time when tensions are at a high point of tension that may still be far from touching the ceiling.

According to The Trust Project criteria

Learn more

  • Israel
  • Ministry of Defence
  • Justice