Israeli air force reservists skip training as protests against Benjamin Netanyahu’s reforms step up | World News

Dozens of Israeli air force reservists will refuse to take part in the drills in protest at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial plan to overhaul the country’s legal system.

Protests have raged across the country for nine weeks over the proposals, which critics have warned would limit the power of judges and weaken the Supreme Court.

Mr. Netanyahuwho is on trial for corruption, fraud and breach of trust, has been sworn in for the sixth time as IsraeliPrime Minister of January – this time as the head of a far-right coalition of extreme nationalism.

Public opposition to the plans has grown since thenBut the move of 37 pilots and navigators from the Air Force’s F-15 squadron is a symbolic important step.

Israel prides itself on its military might and its forces are meant to be apolitical.

But in a letter published by local media, the strike participants said they would drop training on Wednesday and “take time for dialogue and reflection in the interests of democracy and national unity”. family”.

They said they would suspend the protest if asked to carry out actual operations. Reserves are usually relied upon only in times of war, but are trained regularly to ensure their readiness.

Minister says protests are being ‘played up’

An ally of the prime minister sought to downplay the importance of reserve intervention.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told Channel 12 TV that the media were “toying with” their claims, noting that “hundreds of thousands” continue to enlist.

Mr. Netanyahu himself appeared to address the issue on social media, tweeting a picture of him of military age with the caption: “When called to reserve, we always show up.”

The prime minister is a former officer in his country’s most prestigious commando unit.

A top commander in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has insisted that he will not allow the ongoing controversy over the government agenda to affect the military’s capabilities.

A spokesman said Lt Gen Herzi Halevy was “aware of the public controversies and divisions”, but would not let it affect “the IDF’s ability to carry out the most important mission – protecting security of Israel”.

Officers have been ordered to talk to subordinates about the matter, they added.