Israeli opposition leaders criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for dismissing Air Force pilots who called for an end to the war in Gaza. The decision to expel approximately a thousand Air Force members who published a letter demanding the cessation of attacks on Gaza, arguing that they served Netanyahu’s political and personal interests, once again stirred up tensions between the government and the opposition. Opposition leaders condemned Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Air Force Commander Tomer Bar for approving the decision to dismiss soldiers who signed the letter calling for an end to the attacks on Gaza and criticized Netanyahu for supporting this decision.

LAPID: NETANYAHU MISINTERPRETED THE LETTER

Yair Lapid, leader of the Future Party in the opposition, expressed his disagreement with the decision, drawing a parallel with the Ultra-Orthodox Jews’ refusal of compulsory military service.

Lapid pointed out the absence of the word “refusal” in the letter and accused Netanyahu of interpreting a letter without the word “refusal” as a call to refuse service.

Stressing that if Netanyahu is genuinely concerned about this issue, he should declare an end to the “massive refusal” of the Ultra-Orthodox Jews today, Lapid stated, “Those who encourage and support the massive refusal and evasion by the Ultra-Orthodox should not preach morality.”

GOLAN: THE REAL REFUSER IS NETANYAHU HIMSELF

Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats Party, referred to Netanyahu, stating, “The real refuser is the person at the head of the government who jeopardizes the state’s security, undermines the Israeli army, and leads Israel to moral, civilian, and security destruction.”

Golan emphasized that Netanyahu refused to genuinely fight for prisoners, mobilize everyone to defend the State of Israel, and take responsibility for the events of October 7, saying, “The real refuser is Netanyahu.”

Golan highlighted that the soldiers who signed the letter are not “refusers” and stated that they are defending the State of Israel.

“SERVING PERSONAL INTERESTS, NOT SECURITY”

Around 1,000 Israeli pilots and reservists who criticized the Netanyahu government for saying that the attacks on Gaza by the Israeli military served “political and personal interests rather than security” had their letter leaked to the Israeli media, sparking debates.

The letter signed by 970 Israeli pilots and reservists called for an end to the attacks on Gaza and the return of Israeli captives held by Hamas. The letter mentioned that the attacks on Gaza did not serve the targets set by the Netanyahu government and drew attention to the deaths of Israeli captives, soldiers, and civilians in Gaza. Israel’s Education Minister, Yoav Kisch, stated that those who signed the letter should be dismissed. It was reported that Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir approved the decision to expel soldiers who signed the letter demanding an end to the attacks on Gaza, and Israel’s Defense Minister Yisrael Katz gave Zamir and Bar the authority to take action regarding the letter. Netanyahu also expressed his support for the decision.