Palestinian citizens of Israel and ultra-Orthodox Jews are exempt from swerving, among some others. When the vote passed on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the IDF to “stay out of any political controversy,” saying that “the call for refusal harms the security of all citizens of the country.”Ī country that went to war shortly after its founding in 1948, Israel has fought seven wars and engaged in several other smaller conflicts with its neighbors.Įvery Israeli over the age of 18 who is Jewish, Druze or Circassian must serve in the military, an institution that is deeply entrenched in many Israelis’ sense of identity and nationhood. Speaking about reservists refusing, Freilich said that “on the one hand, it is admirable.” But on the other hand, he said, “it is a horrible thing for the IDF.” It was remarkable, he added, that one of the world’s better militaries “is threatening to come apart at the seams over domestic changes.” Jack Guez/AFP/Getty ImagesĬivil unrest, legal appeals and military disobedience: What Israel may face after Supreme Court law changeĬhuck Freilich, a senior researcher at The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) in Tel Aviv who served for over 20 years in Israel’s national security establishment, said that Israel is at a historical “inflection point,” in which “extreme measures may have to be taken to endure Israel’s fundamental character of democracy.” The threat is unprecedented in its scope, experts say, and the military has pleaded with reservists to remain in their posts.Īn Israeli riot policeman stands behind a metal fence being shoved by demonstrators during a protest rally against the Israeli government's judicial overhaul plan in Tel Aviv on Monday. It is a gradual process that will be affected according to the presence of the reservists,” he said. “If reservists do not show up for a long time, there will be damage to the army’s competence. Daniel Hagari told reporters on Tuesday, but he acknowledged that the country’s military readiness could be affected. “At the current point in time, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is competent,” IDF Chief Spokesperson Rear Adm. The law that came into effect on Wednesday took away the court’s power to veto government decisions based on them being “unreasonable.” Millions opposed the change, according to opinion polls, which critics said would erode the independence of the courts and harm Israel’s democracy. And Israel’s leaders are sounding alarms about the country’s readiness for war. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid issued a statement wishing Netanyahu a "full recovery and good health.As Israel plunges deeper into crisis after the country’s parliament passed the first bill of a controversial judicial overhaul, thousands of Israeli army reservists – the backbone of the Israeli military – are threatening not to show up for work. But his opponents say the plan will destroy the country's fragile system of checks and balances and concentrate power in the hands of Netanyahu and his allies. Netanyahu's allies say the plan is needed to rein in the power of unelected judges. His government's hard-line policies toward Palestinians have drawn international criticism and antagonized relations with the United States, Israel's closest and most important ally.Īt home, tens of thousands of Israelis have held weekly demonstrations against Netanyahu's government to protest his plan to overhaul the country's judiciary. He is on trial for multiple corruption charges in a case that has bitterly divided the nation. The Israeli leader faces pressure on multiple fronts. Netanyahu is said to be in generally good health, though he was briefly hospitalized last October after feeling unwell during prayers on Yom Kippur, a day when observant Jews fast. His current far-right government, a collection of religious and ultranationalist parties, took office last December. He has served multiple terms stretching over 15 years in office. Netanyahu is Israel's longest-serving leader. Personal Loans for 670 Credit Score or Lower Personal Loans for 580 Credit Score or Lower Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit
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