In Israel's streets, a group of military veterans are proving that their service and discipline can be just as powerful as any protest sign or slogan. These men and women, many of whom served in elite forces, have been instrumental in shaping the country's growing resistance movement against its government's judicial overhaul plan.
Led by groups like "Brother and Sisters in Arms," which wields a brown flag representing their organization, veterans are using skills honed on the battlefield to mobilize and organize protests. They're also employing tactics they learned in military training - how to coordinate and strategize - to bring attention to the cause.
For Yiftach Golov, a veteran who served in special forces reconnaissance during the second intifada, joining the protest movement was about re-engaging his values of justice and liberty. The plan's proposed changes, he believes, threaten the very foundations of Israel's democracy. "We're fighting for justice and liberty," Golov said. "That's something that was lacking for decades."
These veterans aren't just attending protests; they're actively leading them. Some have even taken to refusing military training or service if the government doesn't back down on its judicial overhaul plan, a move Netanyahu has condemned as a threat to national security.
The Israeli protest movement is diverse, with various groups and factions having their say. However, the pressure from veterans like Golov and his comrades has been instrumental in moving the conversation forward. After weeks of sustained protests and a massive general strike, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a pause on the legislation, citing "the present security situation."
While many protesters see this delay as genuine, others believe it's just a stalling tactic. With Netanyahu insisting that the overhaul is necessary and criticizing refusal to train or serve in the military, tensions remain high.
For Golov and his fellow veterans, though, the issue isn't just about stopping the legislation; it's about ensuring Israel remains a democratic state where all citizens are equal under the law. "We will start deactivation only when we know 100% that Israel will stay a functional democratic country," he vowed. Only time will tell if their determination and skills in service will prove enough to bring real change.
Led by groups like "Brother and Sisters in Arms," which wields a brown flag representing their organization, veterans are using skills honed on the battlefield to mobilize and organize protests. They're also employing tactics they learned in military training - how to coordinate and strategize - to bring attention to the cause.
For Yiftach Golov, a veteran who served in special forces reconnaissance during the second intifada, joining the protest movement was about re-engaging his values of justice and liberty. The plan's proposed changes, he believes, threaten the very foundations of Israel's democracy. "We're fighting for justice and liberty," Golov said. "That's something that was lacking for decades."
These veterans aren't just attending protests; they're actively leading them. Some have even taken to refusing military training or service if the government doesn't back down on its judicial overhaul plan, a move Netanyahu has condemned as a threat to national security.
The Israeli protest movement is diverse, with various groups and factions having their say. However, the pressure from veterans like Golov and his comrades has been instrumental in moving the conversation forward. After weeks of sustained protests and a massive general strike, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a pause on the legislation, citing "the present security situation."
While many protesters see this delay as genuine, others believe it's just a stalling tactic. With Netanyahu insisting that the overhaul is necessary and criticizing refusal to train or serve in the military, tensions remain high.
For Golov and his fellow veterans, though, the issue isn't just about stopping the legislation; it's about ensuring Israel remains a democratic state where all citizens are equal under the law. "We will start deactivation only when we know 100% that Israel will stay a functional democratic country," he vowed. Only time will tell if their determination and skills in service will prove enough to bring real change.
this is insane... I mean, i get why people are upset about the judicial overhaul plan but come on, these veterans are taking it to the next level 
! they're not just holding signs or chanting slogans, they're actively organizing and leading protests like total pros 
. and their military background is giving them a serious edge in terms of strategy and coordination 
. but what really gets me is that they're putting their careers and even their lives on the line for this cause 
. i mean, refusing to train or serve? that's some serious bravery right there 
. and yiftach golov's message about justice and liberty resonating with him because it was lacking in the country for decades... yeah, I can get behind that 
. we just have to hope that these veterans' determination and skills are enough to bring real change and not just a bunch of empty promises 
, like these military veterans are totally crushing it with the protests in israel 
they're using their military training to mobilize and organize people, and it's actually working 
it's not just about stopping this one legislation, it's about creating a functional democratic country where everyone's equal 
we should all be cheering for these guys 
. We need to make sure that our democracy is protected, not just for some but for all.
Still, I get where they're coming from - this overhaul plan is a big deal and they want to make sure Israel stays democratic.
The protesters need to keep pushing for real change, but I hope they're not getting too caught up in the heat of it all. They've got to stay focused on what's really important: making sure Israel stays a functional democracy.
I mean, if they're refusing military training or service over this, that shows some serious conviction 
. I mean, I get it, they're passionate about justice and democracy, but refusing military training or service over this judicial overhaul plan is just not fair 
. It's like, you can't just opt out of serving your country if there's a disagreement with the government... that's not how it works 
.
. I mean, can you imagine having to choose between your country and what you believe in? 
I mean, they're literally fighting for democracy in Israel using the skills they learned on the battlefield. It's like, what a powerful statement against the government's judicial overhaul plan. They're not just holding signs or shouting slogans, they're taking action and leading the charge 
And he's right, the proposed changes do threaten Israel's democracy. But at the same time, I get why Netanyahu would call refusing military training or service a threat to national security 
. But for Golov and his comrades, it's about more than just stopping the legislation – it's about ensuring Israel stays a democratic country where everyone's equal under the law. That's so admirable 
. And I gotta wonder, is this really about the government wanting to make changes for the greater good, or are they trying to silence dissent? Either way, it's got people talking and that's never a bad thing 
.
They're not just passionate about the cause, but also bringing their expertise from the battlefield to mobilize people and organize protests. It's like they're using their skills to create a new kind of "battlefield" – one where equality and freedom are at stake 
.