The Press in Israel | Angry Israeli commandos

Tensions are high in Israel, where Binyamin Netanyahu’s government is seeking to pass a controversial judicial reform before the holidays to reduce the powers of the Supreme Court. Military members of elite units, the spearhead of the country’s defense, are now participating in demonstrations against the project, increasing pressure on the government. Several confided in our special envoys.

(Netanya) The crowd of demonstrators comes to life as Omer Bar-Lev approaches the microphone. The 69-year-old man looks frail and soft, but people here know not to be fooled by appearances. They know that almost 50 years ago he risked his life in the most daring military raid in Israel’s history, an event still celebrated today as a barely believable feat.

In his speech, the former fighter allows himself a certain familiarity when he challenges Benyamin Netanyahu. He calls the Prime Minister by his nickname: “Bibi”.

“Bibi! We served in the same unit. I served with your brother. Shame on you ! “, he shouts in front of the overexcited demonstrators.

The scene takes place in Netanya, north of Tel Aviv, where protesters opposed to the legal reform of the Netanyahu government are gathered that day. The bill aims to limit the power of the Supreme Court and reduce its ability to overrule government decisions. The Netanyahu camp argues that this is a necessary adjustment to restore power to parliamentarians elected by the people, who are too often shackled by unelected judges.

Its opponents evoke a veritable “coup d’etat” which would eliminate a counter-judicial power essential to the protection of minorities and fundamental rights in a democracy. All at a time when the Prime Minister is mired in a corruption trial.

old acquaintances

Omer Bar-Lev knows the Netanyahu family well. He was present when the Prime Minister’s brother died in combat on July 4, 1976. At the time, he was part of Sayeret Matkal, the Israeli army’s elite commando.

That day, his unit rescued 102 hostages who were being held by terrorists at Entebbe airport in Uganda following a plane hijacking. The terrorists, who said they were acting on behalf of the Palestinian cause, were welcomed by Ugandan dictator Idi Amin Dada. The Head of State had allowed them to settle in the airport.

The Israeli soldiers landed in a jumbo jet, disguised as Ugandan soldiers. They moved forward in a Mercedes resembling the dictator’s personal vehicle, to deceive the vigilance of the guards. In 90 minutes, they stormed the airport, liquidated the terrorists, then flew back with the surviving hostages.

Only one Israeli soldier died during the operation: Lieutenant-Colonel Yonatan Netanyahu, elder brother of Binyamin Netanyahu, who had already served in the same unit a few years earlier.

Omer Bar-Lev, who was part of the rescue mission, knew the two Netanyahu brothers throughout his career. He says he no longer recognizes the one who is now prime minister.

Many other veterans of the Entebbe operation have signed an open letter in which they oppose Yoni Netanyahu and his brother. On the one hand, the “brave commander” who “sacrificed himself with open eyes for the state and people of Israel”, they say. On the other, the politician who “sacrifices the State and the people of Israel for his own interests”.

The essential role of reservists

They are thousands of veterans and army reservists to have joined the protest movement. Many are threatening not to voluntarily report for service again if the judicial reform bill goes ahead. Their word weighs heavily in a country that has known seven wars, which is surrounded by enemies, and where the reserve has 465,000 soldiers against 170,000 in permanent service.

In most democratic countries, it would be unthinkable to see the military getting involved in politics like this. “It is particular to Israel, because our army is based on the people. A large part of the army is made up of the reserve”, explains Omer Bar-Lev, who already served briefly as Minister of National Security in a previous government.

Yoaz Hendel, former communications minister in a previous coalition government of Binyamin Netanyahu and reservist in an Israeli maritime commando unit, stresses for his part that the current crisis has changed the situation for many of his brothers in arms. . Many were outraged when the Prime Minister fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who had expressed reservations about judicial reform (he then reinstated him).

“In my special forces unit, people were never interested in politics. They never cared about what I do. They love life, having a good time, they don’t understand why I impose all this shit on myself. But when Netanyahu fired the defense minister, the former commander of our unit, those people felt like the world was ending. They came out to demonstrate,” he said.

“From that moment, something changed. It was no longer just the left and the usual protesters in the streets,” says Mr. Hendel.

“I believe that many reservists say that we are not going to serve people without morals. I believe that we cannot serve if we are not a democracy,” adds Yonti Bahat, lieutenant-colonel in a reserve infantry parachute unit.

The army has been part of his life for thirty years. “I was in Gaza, in southern Lebanon, in the West Bank,” he says, recalling his missions.

He participated in the protests because he feared the government’s plan threatened the very nature of the Israeli state. “Reservists, we will do everything for the State of Israel and the people. But not for the leader, ”he says in reference to the prime minister.

“A real mutiny”

Over the past few months, in the face of discontent, the government has abandoned several provisions of its judicial reform plan. But he is still trying to pass a reform before the recess of Parliament that would limit the Supreme Court’s ability to strike down laws it deems “unreasonable”.

Last week, an Israeli television channel broadcast a recording in which the prime minister can be heard harshly criticizing the military who publicly side with his opponents.

“It is a thing that damages the body of the state, the security of the state. It’s not only diminishing our abilities, it’s also affecting our deterrent force. »

Gadi Taub, teacher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and host of the conservative podcast Gatekeepers, is a fierce supporter of Benyamin Netanyahu’s judicial reform. For him, the military goes beyond the limits by trying to bend a democratically elected government.

“They started a real mutiny in the army! And their leaders refused to stop that, ”he protests.

According to Mr. Taub, the fact that the protesters come mainly from special forces units and the prestigious class of pilots shows that it is the “elites” who want to protect the power of the Supreme Court. A court which often opposes, according to him, the will of the majority, by opening the doors of the country to migrants, for example.

“The pilots said they would refuse to serve if the reform is adopted. And then an aviation mechanic called on the radio, and he said, “If the pilots think their vote is worth more than mine, let them put the bombs themselves on their planes.” At that moment, we realize that it is a class struggle,” he says.

“It is still the elites, with their strongholds in the special forces and among the pilots, who are behind this movement,” he concludes.