A unique breed of protesters has emerged in Israel, comprised primarily of military veterans who are determined to defend the country's democracy. These veteran protesters, many of whom have served in elite units, are now using their skills and experience to mobilize against a government plan that they believe threatens the very fabric of Israeli society.
Led by groups like "Brother and Sisters in Arms," these protesters are united in their opposition to the judicial overhaul plan, which would give the governing parties more control over Israel's judiciary. The veterans are not just protesters - they are also organizers, using their military training to coordinate demonstrations and mobilize public support for their cause.
For many of these veteran protesters, including Yiftach Golov, who has served in special forces reconnaissance units and holds a PhD in biophysics, the experience of protest has been a revelation. "We believe this is our responsibility to go once again called to the flag of the nation to stop this madness," Golov said. "We're fighting for justice and liberty - just like the American story."
These protesters are not alone; they have attracted a broad coalition of supporters, including many young people who see them as heroes for standing up against what they perceive as an attack on Israel's democratic values. The protests, which have been ongoing for 13 weeks, have drawn hundreds of thousands of participants - with estimates ranging from 150,000 to 230,000.
Despite Netanyahu's announcement of a pause in the legislation, protesters remain skeptical that this is anything more than a stalling tactic. For many, including Golov, the goal is not just to stop the reforms but also to ensure that Israel remains a functional democratic country.
As one protester put it, "We will start doing deactivation only when we know 100% that Israel state will stay a functional democratic country." The determination and conviction of these veteran protesters has brought a new level of momentum to the protests - and may ultimately be enough to force Netanyahu's hand and block the reforms.
Led by groups like "Brother and Sisters in Arms," these protesters are united in their opposition to the judicial overhaul plan, which would give the governing parties more control over Israel's judiciary. The veterans are not just protesters - they are also organizers, using their military training to coordinate demonstrations and mobilize public support for their cause.
For many of these veteran protesters, including Yiftach Golov, who has served in special forces reconnaissance units and holds a PhD in biophysics, the experience of protest has been a revelation. "We believe this is our responsibility to go once again called to the flag of the nation to stop this madness," Golov said. "We're fighting for justice and liberty - just like the American story."
These protesters are not alone; they have attracted a broad coalition of supporters, including many young people who see them as heroes for standing up against what they perceive as an attack on Israel's democratic values. The protests, which have been ongoing for 13 weeks, have drawn hundreds of thousands of participants - with estimates ranging from 150,000 to 230,000.
Despite Netanyahu's announcement of a pause in the legislation, protesters remain skeptical that this is anything more than a stalling tactic. For many, including Golov, the goal is not just to stop the reforms but also to ensure that Israel remains a functional democratic country.
As one protester put it, "We will start doing deactivation only when we know 100% that Israel state will stay a functional democratic country." The determination and conviction of these veteran protesters has brought a new level of momentum to the protests - and may ultimately be enough to force Netanyahu's hand and block the reforms.
I'm all about those military vets taking on the establishment, you feel? They're using their skills for good, organizing demos and mobilizing public support. It's not just about stopping the judicial overhaul plan, they want to make sure Israel stays a functional democracy. Yiftach Golov is living proof that even with a PhD in biophysics, you can still rock up to the protests and speak out against injustice. The fact that Netanyahu's announcing a pause but protesters are skeptical? That just shows how determined these folks are 
. It's not about being heroes or villains, it's about fighting for what's right – justice, liberty, and democracy. I'm rooting for these brave vets all the way!
I think its crazy that military veterans are taking a stand against their own government over this judicial overhaul plan 
. They've fought for their country, and now they're fighting for what they believe in. Its amazing how passionate they are about defending Israel's democracy 
. But seriously, its not easy to take on powerful politicians, but these veterans are proving that one person can make a difference.
. The future of Israel's democracy depends on it 
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. It feels like they're just stalling for time, not actually listening to what the veterans are saying. I mean, Yiftach Golov gets a PhD in biophysics and still thinks he can just use his "military training" to organize protests? Like, come on... it's not that hard to see through the PR spin 
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. Can't we just get some real leadership on this issue?
. Now we just gotta see if their determination will be enough to force Netanyahu to back down 
they're using their skills for good, fighting for justice & democracy like true heroes 
. I mean, Netanyahu's trying to stifle the momentum with a pause in the legislation, but these protesters aren't having it 
! Yiftach Golov's quote gives me CHILLS 
. these protests are definitely not going away anytime soon 
, and I'm here for it 1000% 
. They're like, "Hey, we've fought for our country, but now we're fighting for its democracy" 
. It's wild to see them using their skills to organize protests and get people on their side.
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. Will these vets be able to block Netanyahu's plans? Only time will tell 
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But seriously, it's good to see people from different backgrounds coming together to fight for something they believe in. And Yiftach Golov is a total hero - I mean, someone with a PhD in biophysics showing up to protests... that's like the ultimate underdog story.
these vets r not fools, they see right through it. its all about preserving democracy, period 
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. These guys have been serving their country, but when it comes down to it, they're just using the same tactics they used during military service to whip up public support - it's all about control and manipulation, am I right? 
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. And what's with the 'American story' comparison? Just because they're using a US narrative doesn't mean this is a universal fight for freedom 
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. And what about the estimates of 150k-230k participants? How do we even verify those numbers? It sounds like some made-up stats 
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. Can we just have a fact-checking thread about this instead? 
. and 13 weeks already? that's crazy talk! what's really going on here? is it just about "justice" and "liberty" or is there something more sinister at play? 
like, think about it: gov says they're gonna pause the legislation, but do we really believe that? 
.