How Israel’s Citizen Soldiers Forced Netanyahu to Retreat on Judicial Overhaul

Reservists played a key role in derailing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed judicial overhaul in Israel, leading to concerns from the military's chief of staff and ultimately Netanyahu's firing of the defense minister.

March 29, 2023 . 10:32 AM

1 min read

Military reservists played a key role in derailing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed judicial overhaul.
Reservists took to the streets and some said they would refuse to report for duty, leading to concerns from the military's chief of staff.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant urged Mr. Netanyahu to hold off on the changes for national security reasons, leading to his firing.
The military's power and members' status as a "people's army" means political disagreements inevitably bleed into it.
The fight against the judicial changes was personal for many reservists, who see themselves as defending Israel's democratic values.