Monday, July 17, 2023

IDF brass said to warn Gallant of threat to readiness due to reservists’ protests

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reportedly held an emergency meeting Sunday with Israel Defense Forces’ chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and other top officers to discuss the possible fallout if military reservists — particularly pilots — stop showing up for volunteer duty in protest of the government’s judicial overhaul.

Unsourced details of the meeting were published by all Hebrew-language media outlets as Israel’s main evening news programs were broadcast, in what appeared to be a coordinated leak from either the military or Gallant’s office.

The reports said Gallant and Chief of Staff Halevi were considering speaking in the coming days with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to relay the concerns over the potential negative impact on military readiness. READ MORE