Concerns Rise Over Potential Discontent Among Israeli Reserve Forces Following New Agreement

Security officials in Tel Aviv have expressed concerns about growing discontent within the Israeli reserve forces, raising alarms over a possible mass refusal to serve. This unrest follows a recent agreement between the defense and finance ministries that introduces additional burdens on the soldiers.
The newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" reported that the agreement was reached without prior consultation with brigade and battalion leaders, resulting in significant dissatisfaction among reserve personnel.

Reduction of Benefits and Support for Soldiers

The new agreement reduces the number of days off for reserve soldiers and eliminates psychological and social support allowances that are typically provided after their service.
Military insiders suggest that while the agreement aims to shorten the expected duration of reserve service to approximately two and a half months by 2026—if the security situation stabilizes—it may inadvertently worsen conditions for the soldiers and heighten tensions within their units.

Plans to Decrease Reserve Forces

Sources indicate that these changes are part of a broader government initiative to decrease the number of reserve soldiers from 60,000 to 40,000 by 2026, with the goal of reducing expenses for the Ministry of Defense.

Criticism of Military Leadership

A senior officer within the Israeli army has cautioned about the potential fallout from these decisions, warning that they could result in widespread insubordination among reserve forces. The officer criticized Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir for failing to advocate for the rights of reserve soldiers before government authorities.

Rising Tension and Potential Refusal to Comply

There has been increasing tension within communication groups among reserve battalion leaders, with discussions about the possibility of refusing to comply with the new directives, particularly regarding the cancellation of weekly leave for soldiers in operational areas like the buffer zone and the Gaza Strip.
Despite orders to cancel leave to extend reserve service days, reports indicate that some units continue to allow leave, highlighting the growing unrest within the military ranks.