The Israeli Air Force has announced that it will dismiss all active reservists that signed a letter calling on the government to make securing the release of the remaining hostages its top priority, even if it means ending the Gaza War.
A group of more than 1,000 people, describing themselves as “air personnel in reserves and retirement”, put their names to the petition, which was published as an advert in several Israeli newspapers this morning.
It had previously reported that the letter might contain a call for reservists to refuse to serve, but this did not appear in its text.
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April 10, 2025
Instead, the signatories claimed that the renewed war in Gaza serves “political and personal interests” rather than that of the nation.
They went on: “The continuation of the war doesn’t advance any of the declared goals of the war, and will bring about the deaths of the hostages, of IDF soldiers and innocent civilians.
"As has been proven in the past, only an agreement can return hostages safely, while military pressure mainly leads to the killing of hostages and the endangerment of our soldiers.
"We call on all citizens of Israel to mobilise for action.”
All but five of the signatories put their full names to the letter the majority are believed to be retired from service, but Ynet estimated that as many as 10 per cent of the group are still active reservists.
The letter has been fiercely condemned by the governing coalition, with Prime Minister Netanyahu labelling it as the work of “a group of fringe extremists who are trying once again to break Israeli society from within”.
He added: “Refusal to serve is refusal to serve, even if it’s only hinted at in whitewashed language.
"Statements that weaken the IDF and strengthen our enemies in a time of war are unforgivable.”
Likewise, Defence Minister Israel Katz, who called it an “unacceptable phenomenon” and an “attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the just war that the IDF is leading in Gaza for the return of the hostages and the defeat of the murderous Hamas terrorist organisation”.
The IDF announced that it was working to identify the signatories still serving in the reserves and confirmed that they would be dismissed by Air Force chief Major General Tomer Bar.
A spokesperson for the military said it was unacceptable to "use the Israeli Air Force brand” for a political protest, adding: “It is inconceivable for someone to do a shift at [the IAF] command center and head out afterward and express mistrust in the task.”
