Observers are still debating whether Israel will descend into civil war, become a dictatorship, or be defeated by Hezbollah because a far-right government wants to seize total power. However, most agree, especially abroad, that Israel is facing an existential problem because the government is turning a large part of its citizens against itself.
As is so often the case, however, the situation is far less critical than the media would like us to believe.
This was made clear when an online petition was launched on Monday and has so far been signed by 80,000 Israeli army reservists. It reads:
“We, former soldiers or in the reserve of the IDF, are against the refusals and remain loyal to the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. We will serve the State of Israel because it is our only State – and we will protect it at all costs!”
On Tuesday, Israeli doctors also opposed a proposed strike by a smaller group of doctors over judicial reform. “500 doctors have signed a letter opposing the health care strike and calling on the head of the Israel Medical Association to ‘stop the madness,'” tweeted N12 reporter Inbar Twizer.
“We apologize to the public for the irresponsible behavior of some of our fellow professionals. Striking for a political position is contrary to the Hippocratic Oath,” the doctors wrote.
As sections of Israel’s silent majority have now come forward and made clear their support for the elected government, such voices are increasing in number.
Three different units of the army issued letters in support of the state.
Some 130 Research Brigade officers and soldiers, graduates of the IDF Intelligence Division, wrote:
“We, the reservists of the Research Division, declare that we will always serve our country with love and dedication to protect the State of Israel under any government. We will not refuse an order and we will not impose any conditions on our voluntary service in the IDF reserve.”
IDF special forces soldiers also stated:
“We, the undersigned Special Forces commanders and officers, have served in complex roles for many years. We have decided to break our silence and step forward for a moment to state the obvious – we will continue to report for reserve duty whenever we are called.”
Reservists of the special forces unit Sayeret Matkal clarified in a letter to their commander:
“If, God forbid, there is a manpower shortage, we will all volunteer to make up for it with extra reserve days.”
So the situation in Israel is not nearly as bad as it sometimes seems. If some soldiers or doctors quit their jobs because of their political views, there are many others who are willing to do even more for the country they love.
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