Halevi: Netanyahu rejected firing reservists who stopped reporting amid judicial reform - report

Former IDF chief of staff Herzi Halevi claimed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vehemently rejected an offer to dismiss reservists who halted reporting for duty during the 2023 judicial reform crisis. This revelation emerged during a recent meeting between Halevi and bereaved families who sought answers regarding the ongoing state commission of inquiry into the October 7 massacre.

The Knesset's approval of legislation removing the reasonableness standard led to Halevi's meeting with Netanyahu, during which he cautioned Israel was entering a perilous situation. To mitigate this danger, Halevi urged the prime minister to issue a positive statement towards the reservists and asked ministers to cease attacking them.

However, Netanyahu refused this request, and Halevi noted that Netanyahu's public comments about the military and the handling of the reservist crisis starkly contrasted with his private conversations. Halevi subsequently attempted to gauge Netanyahu's stance directly, asking, "Do you want me to dismiss all the refusers now?" Netanyahu responded in the negative, stating, "Absolutely not!

It will bring a bigger wave; don't do it." Following this conversation, Netanyahu publicly criticized the military, arguing the IDF was not performing adequately. The conflict over reservist participation emerged as one of the most significant security concerns surrounding the 2023 judicial reform, with reservists in various units refusing to volunteer in protest against the government's legislation.

Halevi had previously warned Netanyahu of potential consequences for military readiness. The issue has become a central political matter ahead of Israel's upcoming October 27 election, with opposition leaders promising to establish a state commission of inquiry if they form the next government. The Prime Minister's Office and Halevi's representatives have not commented on N12's report.