A growing number of Israeli military veterans are joining the protests against the government's judicial overhaul plan, vowing to continue demonstrating in large numbers. The protesters, many of whom served in elite forces and have PhDs from top universities, say they feel compelled to defend Israel's democracy.
At the forefront of this movement is Yiftach Golov, a veteran who previously served in special forces reconnaissance unit during the second intifada. Like many others, Golov was initially apolitical but became involved in the protest movement after witnessing the erosion of democratic values in Israel.
Golov believes that he and his fellow veterans have a responsibility to protect the nation's flag and defend its democracy. "We're fighting for justice and liberty," he said. "That's what our flag represents, something that has been lacking for decades."
The protesters are using their military skills to organize and mobilize protests, with some even taking on leadership roles. One group, called "Brother and Sisters in Arms," has become a prominent force behind the protests.
Their motivation is rooted in the same sense of duty and loyalty that drove them to serve in the military. Golov described the feeling as "the deep feeling that you are part of something bigger than yourself... You're willing to do it at any cost."
The pressure from veteran protesters has been significant, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing a pause in the legislation following weeks of sustained protests and the largest general strike in Israeli history.
However, many protesters remain skeptical about the delay, believing that it is simply a stalling tactic. They say they will continue to protest until they see concrete action on their demands for reforms.
For Golov and his fellow veterans, the goal is not just to stop the legislation but to ensure that Israel remains a functional democracy. "We will start doing deactivation only when we will know 100% that Israel state will stay a functional democratic country," he said.
At the forefront of this movement is Yiftach Golov, a veteran who previously served in special forces reconnaissance unit during the second intifada. Like many others, Golov was initially apolitical but became involved in the protest movement after witnessing the erosion of democratic values in Israel.
Golov believes that he and his fellow veterans have a responsibility to protect the nation's flag and defend its democracy. "We're fighting for justice and liberty," he said. "That's what our flag represents, something that has been lacking for decades."
The protesters are using their military skills to organize and mobilize protests, with some even taking on leadership roles. One group, called "Brother and Sisters in Arms," has become a prominent force behind the protests.
Their motivation is rooted in the same sense of duty and loyalty that drove them to serve in the military. Golov described the feeling as "the deep feeling that you are part of something bigger than yourself... You're willing to do it at any cost."
The pressure from veteran protesters has been significant, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing a pause in the legislation following weeks of sustained protests and the largest general strike in Israeli history.
However, many protesters remain skeptical about the delay, believing that it is simply a stalling tactic. They say they will continue to protest until they see concrete action on their demands for reforms.
For Golov and his fellow veterans, the goal is not just to stop the legislation but to ensure that Israel remains a functional democracy. "We will start doing deactivation only when we will know 100% that Israel state will stay a functional democratic country," he said.
. I mean, they're literally risking their own reputation and future to stand up for what they believe in. And let's be real, if they can't even trust the government to protect their democratic values, who else can they rely on? 
, even if some people might think it's a bit extreme. I mean, we've all seen what happens when veterans take a stand - it gets attention and sparks change 
.
. And if that means continuing to protest until they see real action on reforms, then so be it 
. It's not like they're asking for much - just some basic checks and balances to ensure the government doesn't get too out of hand.
. But let's keep watching this situation unfold and see if Israel can really make some meaningful changes in its democratic landscape 
.
I think it's fascinating to see how the protests are being fueled by these highly educated and experienced military veterans, who have now turned their skills towards protecting Israel's democracy rather than just defending its borders 
. Their commitment to justice and liberty is admirable, and I'm impressed by Golov's sense of responsibility towards the nation he served. The fact that they're using their military training to organize protests and mobilize public opinion is a testament to their dedication to the cause 
. However, it's also interesting to note that many protesters remain uncertain about the government's intentions, suspecting that the pause in legislation might be just a temporary reprieve 
.
They're putting everything on the line to stand up for democracy, which is what this whole thing is really about... I mean, I get that some people might see them as just a bunch of rich folks with PhDs from top universities, but these guys genuinely believe in what they're fighting for and are willing to take risks to make sure Israel stays on track 
They've put their lives on the line for our country and now they're being forced to speak out against something they believe is corrupting everything they fought for 
I mean, who can blame them? It's like if someone came along and started taking away all the rights we have in this country... no way, bro! 
These guys are like the ultimate patriots - risking their own freedom and reputation to stand up for what they believe in 
meanwhile, I'm thinking what's really going on here - we're talking about powerful military dudes with PhDs who feel the need to take up arms (literally) against their own government. 
it's like, come on guys, you served your country, now let us figure out how to keep democracy alive without turning into a total authoritarian regime... easy peasy, right? 
. I mean, you've got PhDs from top universities and elite forces experience, but they're still fighting for democracy like it's 2023 
. Will their demands be met? Will the gov't back down? One thing for sure is that these vets aren't messing around 
.
meanwhile netanyahu's all like 'oh noes, protesters are scaring me' 
and then he pauses the legislation for a sec... guess what? still protesting 
it's like they're trying to prove that 100% of these vets aren't just a bunch of loudmouths who want attention 
I guess we'll see how this plays out 
. These veterans seem determined to protect Israel's democracy, and who can blame them? 
It'll be interesting to see how this whole situation plays out in the coming weeks 
But what really gets me is how this movement is rooted in a sense of duty and loyalty 
. But what's also interesting is how this movement is highlighting the importance of social responsibility 
. There's still a lot of skepticism around the government's delay 
! May their voices be heard and may their efforts lead to meaningful reforms 
They're already getting good salaries, pension & healthcare from the military, so what's the big deal? 
Why arent they happy with what they got? 
The pause in legislation is a good thing, but probs just a temporary reprieve 
These vets have made it clear they won't back down until reforms happen