Israeli officers and reservists have announced their refusal to perform military service in protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government's passage through the judicial reform law, while Israelis demonstrated against Netanyahu in front of the British government headquarters in conjunction with talks in London.

Israeli Army Radio said that dozens of pilots in the air force told their commanders to stop training and refrain from joining their military bases, adding that dozens of reserve pilots in the air force announced that they stopped reporting to their units, explaining that their move came after Netanyahu's speech on the judicial amendment.

Walla reported that reservists from Unit 8200 signed a petition refusing to perform military service in protest against the Netanyahu government's progress with the judicial reform law.

The signatories of the petition consider the government's actions a de facto violation of the basic contract between the state and its citizens and an attempt to change the regime in Israel.

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy has warned Netanyahu of the dangers inherent in disobeying military orders in the army against the backdrop of judicial changes, and told him – according to Israeli media – that this would compromise the IDF's readiness for any security developments.

The head of the Shin Bet also warned that Israel was in real danger, as popular protests and calls to disobey military orders intersected with serious security threats to Israel on all fronts.


Demonstrations in London

In the same context, the British capital London witnessed a demonstration organized by Israelis and British Jews in front of the government headquarters to protest Netanyahu's visit to Britain.

Hundreds of protesters shouted and whistled as Israeli Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived at British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's residence at 10 Downing Street on Friday, followed to London by opposition angry at his plans to reform the justice system.

Netanyahu shook hands with Sunak at the entrance to Downing Street, while the voices of protesters nearby, raising the flag of Israel and chanting "Netanyahu, go to jail, you can't speak for Israel."

The scenes in London are similar to those in Berlin this month, where hundreds gathered at the Brandenburg Gate to protest against the planned judicial changes that have plunged Israel into crisis.

Netanyahu's joint statement (right) and Sunak cancelled at London's request, according to Army Radio (Getty Images).

Sunak and Netanyahu meet

In London, the British government said that the Israeli prime minister discussed with his British counterpart during their meeting files, most notably the Iranian nuclear file and common security and defense challenges, as well as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the threat posed by Iran to regional stability.

The statement added that Sunak and Netanyahu expressed "great concern" about Iran's destabilizing activity and agreed that both governments would continue to work closely to repel aggression and manage the risks of nuclear proliferation.

Sunak made clear to Netanyahu international concerns about rising tensions in the West Bank and the risk of undermining efforts for a two-state solution.

A spokesman for the British Prime Minister's Office also said he had raised the issue of Netanyahu's judicial reform, adding that Sunak had "stressed the importance of upholding the democratic values" that underpin the two countries' relations, including proposed judicial reforms in Israel.

Netanyahu has been facing weeks of mass protests against attempts by his ruling coalition, made up of religious and nationalist parties, to push through changes to the justice system that would give the government decisive influence in choosing judges and limit the Supreme Court's power to overturn laws.

The move caused concern at home and abroad about Israel's democratic norms and balances.

Netanyahu's meeting with Sunak lasted less than an hour, and Army Radio said the joint statement of the two sides had been cancelled at London's request, and broadcasters expected they would be able to film the start of their meeting, but that appeared to have been cancelled.