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Israeli Air Force Faces Deepening Rift Over Reservists' Protest Against Gaza War

Despite threats of dismissal, only 25 of 970 signatories have retracted their opposition to the ongoing conflict, highlighting internal divisions.

An IDF officer walks past the protective barriers in Netiv HaAsara, the Israeli community closest to the Gaza Strip border wall, Nov. 19, 2023. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
Israel's newly appointed armed forces chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir (C), visits the Western Wall in the old city of Jerusalem on March 5, 2025. Zamir said during his inauguration on March 5 that Israel's mission to defeat Palestinian militant group Hamas was "not accomplished". (Photo by Menahem Kahana / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)
Demonstrators gather with placards during an anti-government protest calling for action to secure the release of Israeli hostages held captive since the October 7 attacks by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, outside the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem on April 5.
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Overview

  • Approximately 970 Israel Air Force reservists signed a letter opposing the Gaza war, citing political and personal motivations behind the conflict.
  • The Israel Air Force chief warned reservists they would face dismissal if they did not retract their signatures from the protest letter.
  • As of April 9, 2025, only 25 reservists have withdrawn their support for the letter, while many others remain undecided.
  • Former air force members, who distributed the letter, claim it focuses on political rather than security concerns, intensifying the debate.
  • The standoff reflects broader challenges within Israel's military as it grapples with dissent during a highly charged security situation.