Resistance in the Israeli army to judicial reform Hundreds of thousands on climate strike: the funniest signs of yesterday’s protests

Opposition to the planned judicial reform in the country has emerged in the Israeli military. 37 of Fighter Squadron 69’s 40 fighter pilots refused to begin reserve training during the week, Israeli media reported Sunday. Instead, they wanted to protest the reform in front of government institutions. Reservists from other units also threatened to refuse service if the initiative of Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing religious government was implemented.

Judiciary reform is progressing despite violent protests from large segments of the population. According to media reports, the first phase could be approved by April in an accelerated procedure. According to the government’s plans, parliament should be able to overturn decisions by the Supreme Court by a simple majority in the future. In addition, politicians should be given more influence in the appointment of judges. The proposed law could also play into the hands of Netanyahu in an ongoing corruption case against him.

Experts warned that a weakening of the Supreme Court would make it more likely that Israeli soldiers will face charges at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. This court can only become active if a state does not conduct serious criminal proceedings of its own accord. For this reason, the revered Supreme Court has also been considered a “protective shield” for soldiers to date.

There was also harsh criticism of Netanyahu from veterans of the elite Sayeret Matkal unit, in which the 73-year-old also served. In an open letter, the veterans wrote that Netanyahu’s brother Jonathan deliberately sacrificed his own life for the state and people of Israel during a unit rescue operation at Uganda’s Entebbe Airport in 1976. The team then rescued Israeli passengers from a hijacked plane from Air France. “It is sad, but you, Bibi (Netanyahu’s nickname), are knowingly and with open eyes sacrificing the state and people of Israel for your own interests,” the letter read. (sda/dpa)