Israel army 'could lose readiness in a month’ if reservists' judiciary overhaul protest persists

Israel will lose its ability to win wars in less than a month if military reservists carry out their threat to not perform service in protest of their far-right government’s judicial overhaul, a senior official has reportedly said.

"In about a month we will have a problem with the readiness for war, especially in the Air Force, if the situation continues as it is now," Channel 12 reported the security official, who it did not name, as saying.

"The main effort is to do everything to prevent the loss of competence," the official said.

More than a thousand military reservists, including fighter pilots, drone pilots and commando soldiers, said last month that they would stop their service if the controversial judicial overhaul bill was passed. Most Israelis who complete their mandatory military service are expected to attend reserve duty every year for a specific period.

Signing a declaration, the reservists called on the government to "arrive at a broad consensus, strengthen the trust of all parts of the people in the judicial system and maintain its independence."

Israel's parliament signed off on part of the bill at the end of last month. Opponents of the overhaul say it is an effort by the Israeli government to limit the power of judges and strengthen its own authority.

Some critics accuse Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges he denies, of trying to use the reforms to quash possible judgements against him. He rejects the accusation.

Israeli military officials have previously warned that the army could soon be seriously impacted if the reservists continue their protest.

"If reservists do not show up for a long time, there will be damage to the army’s competence," the Israeli army’s chief spokesperson Daniel Hagari said last month.

"It is a gradual process that will be affected according to the presence of the reservists," he said.

There have been mass, regular protests against the overhaul, as well as international condemnation of the move.

More than 1,000 people including academics have signed an open letter condemning the overhaul and warning of a potentially disastrous impact on Palestinians.