Over 100 Israeli ex-security chiefs sign letter saying Netanyahu is ‘tearing country apart’
An unprecedented letter - signed by former IDF, Mossad and Shin Bet officials along with other military and policing experts - also backs the decision of Air Reservists not to report for service
An unprecedented letter sent to Benjamin Netanyahu, signed by dozens of former leaders of Israel’s security services, has accused the current prime minister of being “directly responsible for the grave damage done to the IDF and Israel’s security.”
The letter, published on Saturday, was signed by former officials with the military, police, IDF, Shin Bet internal security agency and Mossad spy agency – also saw the signatories back the hundreds of Air Force reservists who have decided not to report to their reserve duties in protest at government’s judicial overhaul.
It was made public just two days before an expected vote in Israel’s Knesset to abolish the ability of the judiciary to intervene in government decisions on the basis of ‘Reasonableness’.
In stated:” We, reserve generals, heads of Mossad and Shin Bet wings, fully endorse those who decided to act and halt their reserve duty. In this difficult time, it is an act of national responsibility, done to defend Israeli democracy. ”
The letter was signed by figures such as former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe ‘Bogi’ Ya’alon, and former Mossad chief Ephraim Halevi.
“We, IDF Chiefs of Staff, Israel Police Commissioners, former heads of the Mossad and the Shin Bet, retired IDF generals and retired heads of divisions in the Mossad and the Shin Bet, see you as the person directly responsible for the serious damage to the IDF and Israel’s security,’’ the letter added.
It warned Netanyahu: “The Israeli government under your leadership is… completely ignoring damage to Israeli democracy. The legislation negates basic values held dear by Israeli society, is tearing the nation apart, disintegrating the IDF and inflicting a fatal blow to Israel’s security.”
The letter came out just as 72,000 Israelis have completed a four-day march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, camping for three nights in massive tents villages staged on the road to Jerusalem.
They will be joined by thousands of other protesters over the next two days, while the Knesset opens its discussions on the ‘Reasonableness doctrine’ at 10am Israel time on Sunday.
If no changes, the vote is expected to take place on Monday afternoon following 26 hours of discussions between the coalition and the opposition.
Since January, hundreds of Israeli opposition groups have spawned a massive protest movement that has seen millions of Israelis taking to the streets in weekly demonstrations against the government plans.
The attempt to eviscerate Israel’s justice system comes as Netanyahu – once a staunch defender of judicial independence – faces trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
As part of his government’s proposed changes, two of those infractions would be removed from the list of crimes officials can be charged with.
Defend Israeli Democracy UK, the local branch of the Israeli protest movement, has been staging protests to express solidarity with the protesters in Israel.
Protests have taken place in Parliament Square and outside the Israeli ambassador’s house in north London Another protest is planned for Sunday in Tower Bridge.
On Friday, over 1,000 Israeli Air Force personnel, including hundreds of pilots, announced that they will suspend their reserve duty if the Netanyahu government continues with its plans to overhaul the country’s judiciary.
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