IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi met on Wednesday evening with dozens of commanders in reserve units from across the IDF, following the letters by reservists who threatened to refuse to report to their units if the judicial reform is passed.
The meeting was also attended by the head of the IDF Manpower Directorate, Colonel Yaniv Asor, the head of the Ground Forces Command, Colonel Tamir Yadai, the chief reserve officer, commanders of reserve divisions and brigades and other commanders from the IDF.
After an open and respectful discussion, which allowed for the expression of different opinions, the Chief of Staff told the reservists, "There are cracks that can form that we will not be able to repair later. Refusal is a 'red line', it should not be part of the the military protocol."
"It is not right to speak of refusal, it is not right to refuse orders, because we are tasked with a mission, the doing of which with distinction enables life and enables the existence of this dispute, which needs to be protected all around so that it can exist in a dignified manner. What everyone in this room has in common is the love of the country, the love of the IDF, the willingness to risk things in order to achieve important things. The reservists are an integral part of the IDF, all of them in all missions."
Halevi also said, "I oppose the inappropriate statements being made towards reservists and those who serve in the IDF. The word 'traitors' should not be said, there are none of those here."
The Chief of Staff stressed to the commanders, "I am responsible for ensuring that the tasks the IDF carries out are in line with the IDF's values and are carried out legally and in a statesmanlike manner. I know that I am saying words that mean a lot, I know that I am taking a very big responsibility and all the commanders who are here and those who are not here in the room are with me, and I tell you to trust it, trust us."
Hebrew video: