A group of close to 1,000 reservists with the Israeli Air Force published on Thursday a letter demanding the return of the Israeli captives in Gaza, with signatories arguing that the continuation of war “serves political and personal interests.”
“The continuation of the war doesn’t advance any of the declared goals of the war, and will bring about the deaths of the hostages, of IDF soldiers and innocent civilians,” read the letter, referring to Israeli occupation forces.
“As has been proven in the past, only an agreement can return hostages safely, while military pressure mainly leads to the killing of hostages and the endangerment of our soldiers,” the letter, published as an ad in a number of Israeli newspapers, added.
“We call on all citizens of Israel to mobilize for action.”
In a letter, hundreds of reserve soldiers and officers in the Israeli Air Force are demanding an end to the war on Gaza in exchange for the return of all kidnapped Israelis. They assert that the war is currently being waged according to personal political interests (referring to… pic.twitter.com/vi1yADjuJo
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IAF to Dismiss Reservists over Letter
According to the latest reports, 60 reserve officers and soldiers in the Israeli Air Force, including qualified pilots, were dismissed after they signed a letter demanding an end to the war.
Israeli media reported that the Israeli Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar is set to dismiss active reservists who signed the letter.
The Israeli occupation military said it has no issue with reservists protesting any matter in their civilian lives, as long as they do it without using the name of the military or their role.
It is thought that dozens of the signatories are active reservists and will likely be dismissed. The others are close to retirement or haven’t served for years, according to Israeli media.
Several reservists who initially signed on to the letter removed their signatures prior to its publication after holding discussions with the IAF.
The few signatories who are active reservists are set to be dismissed from duty by Bar, The Times of Israeli reported, adding that the Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has supported the move.
The occupation military said it cannot accept a situation in which reservists “use the Israeli Air Force brand” to protest political matters.
It added that “it is inconceivable for someone to do a shift at [the IAF] command center and head out afterward and express mistrust in the task.”
Netanyahu, Katz Slam Letter
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz expressed support for the decision by Bar.
“Refusal to serve is refusal to serve, even if it’s only hinted at in whitewashed language,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
“Statements that weaken the IDF and strengthen our enemies in a time of war are unforgivable,” he added.
Source: Israeli media (edited by Al-Manar English Wesbsite)
