What do IDF reservists think about Netanyahu Gallant’s dismissal? – Israel News

IDF reservists expressed doubt, anger and betrayal after dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant Tuesday evening.

Some have expressed doubt over the decision to fire the defense minister for seemingly political reasons in a time of war, while others have expressed disappointment over a bill exempting haredim (ultra-Orthodox) from serving in the IDF, his opposition to which Gallant cited as one of the reasons for it dismissals.

Many in his IDF team expressed bewilderment at the decision to fire Gallant now. reservist, currently serving in the Gaza Strip said the person who wished to remain anonymous.

“Many people believe that (the dismissal) is playing politics and saving (Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s) coalition at the expense of those who are fighting right now,” he said, adding that there may be “real strategic differences that pushed Netanyahu to do this “

“Others said that perhaps Gallant was constraining Netanyahu’s decision-making and perhaps (now) we will see more decisive action. But for now this is a minority position,” he added.

IDF continues operations in southern Lebanon, November 6, 2024 (Photo: IDF REPRESENTATIVE)

“This is a night of great betrayal by the reservists who continue to work themselves to death while the ultra-Orthodox continue to evade conscription and plunder public funds,” IDF reserve officer and former Jerusalem City Council member Yovav Tzur said on X/Twitter.

“The right has decided tonight to betray the reservists – wonderful Israelis who served hundreds of days after the terrible failure that occurred under (the right) October 7“, he said.

Anger over lack of Haredi conscription

“They decided to entertain the Haredi draft dodgers, stab us in the back and dodge while we are under conscription or between trips to Gaza and Lebanon.”

Another reservist, who asked not to be named, expressed disappointment at the proposed legislation and explained her decision to protest Tuesday night.

“As a reservist, this bill is a finger in my eye. It feels like the country doesn’t care about us and is brushing us off,” she said.

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“Serving in the IDF is a great privilege, but it is also a great burden,” she added, explaining that she served three and a half years of regular service and spent more than 200 days in the reserves. “If I wanted a military career, I would have a military career.”

“We need the government to really support us,” she said, adding that she also wants to see support from the public. “When we have to fight this alone, (the public) literally leaves us alone on the battlefield. “I have friends who are in the reserves right now and they are very depressed because the government doesn’t care about them—and it feels like the public doesn’t really care.”

“If you care about the reservists, if you care about the soldiers, we expect to see you on the streets,” she added.