Defense Minister Yoav Galant's Challenge to Netanyahu

1. In a major political development this evening, Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Galant has called for a "pause" in the legislation of the judicial overhaul led by the Netanyahu government. In Israel, the defense minister is regarded as the second most important minister

— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) March 25, 2023

2. after the PM. Galant's speech to the nation is a challenge to Netanyahu, who has not agreed to stop the legislation until now. Galant's main argument is security and the upcoming national days. Israel is witnessing an unprecedented wave of protests (photo: @tomerappelbaum), pic.twitter.com/wB2kLnVJZT

— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) March 25, 2023

3. and just this evening, between two to three percent of the public was demonstrating across the country. Moreover, reservists of elite units of the IDF, including combat pilots, commandos, intelligence, as well as regular combat units,

— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) March 25, 2023

4. have made it clear that they see the legislation as turning Israel into a dictatorship of sorts. Thousands have stated they will not report to IDF reserve duty as a result, stating that the people's army cannot survive if the country stops being a fully pledged democracy.

— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) March 25, 2023

5. Just one example is a letter sent this evening by Galant's former brothers-in-arms from the elite Navy Seals. Here are a few quotes: "The reservists of the Naval Commando, past and present, are committed to preserving the law and democracy of the State of Israel and are taking

— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) March 25, 2023

6. this protest step to protect the status of the Supreme Court out of an uncompromising desire to preserve the democratic character of the State of Israel....Yoav, you know us and our values very well, the values forged in the naval commando unit, which you commanded.

— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) March 25, 2023

7. You surely know how great the pain contained in this letter is. We join our brothers-in-arms, the reservists in other units, who call on you to stop the coup d'état, to save Israeli democracy. Show leadership and rescue the country from chaos and terrible division.

— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) March 25, 2023

8. We pledge to return and fulfill our share of the Israeli contract when the state returns to fulfill its share."
As demonstrated by this letter, what we are witnessing in Israel is truly exceptional. The defense apparatus is leading the strongest and most effective resistance

— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) March 25, 2023

9. to a populist-nationalist power grab, yet this is happening through a widespread non-violent refusal to volunteer for reserve duty, rather than using a belligerent approach. The question remains whether this process will be enough to halt the government's plans.

— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) March 25, 2023