Israeli Chief Of Staff: Political Refusal To Serve In IDF ‘Endangers Israel, Weakens Strategic Deterrent’

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israeli chief of staff Lt. Col. Hertzi Halevi has warned that the continued calls to refuse to serve in IDF reserves constitute a danger to Israel and weaken its strategic deterrent.

Halevi said on i24 news that “one can’t play with the army or use it as a tool for political expediency.” He added that “citizens are entitled to protest but refusal to serve drags the army into political disputes.”

In recent days Halevi has warned in private discussions that the current situation could be  “the beginning of the end” for the IDF, as each sector decides which missions to perform based on political inclinations.

Halevi has spent a large part of the recent days dealing with the issue of refusal. The chief of staff has already held several meetings with the IDF top brass and Air Force commanders, and on Tuesday he will be holding a meeting with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as well as commanders of reserve units, to discuss their plans.

Halevi is worried that the “divisive and dangerous” trend of refusals will broaden further, destroying the unity the army requires to perform its security goals.

Even though Halevi believes that external forces are attempting to exploit the IDF and reservists in order to advance their own positions in the debate, he is also convinced  that the contribution of IDF reservists should not be undervalued. Halevi is against tarring refusers with names like “anarchists” or “terrorists.”

Halevi is also opposed to handling the phenomenon of refusal harshly, warning that dismissing dozens of reserve pilots who have openly attacked the government’s proposed reforms could easily snowball and lead to hundreds joining them. Instead, he would like to see progress made via discussion and explanation.

Above all, the Chief of Staff made it clear that he does not intend to interfere in the political processes underway, and that everyone who does speak out must understand the consequences. The main focus now must be on curbing the wave of refusals, while permitting reservists to exercise their freedom of protest and emphasizing the importance of reserve service.