Veterans From Elite Israeli Forces Join Protests Against Government's Judicial Overhaul Plan
In the midst of a tumultuous protest movement, a new face has emerged in the streets of Tel Aviv: veterans from elite Israeli forces. Led by men like Yiftach Golov, who served in special forces reconnaissance during the second intifada, these former soldiers are now taking up arms against what they see as a threat to Israel's democracy.
Golov, a PhD holder in biophysics, joined the protest movement after attending a demonstration and soon became one of thousands of veterans and military reservists who have taken up the cause. He is part of the "Brother and Sisters in Arms" group, which has become increasingly prominent in the protests, wearing brown shirts with their logo and wielding flags.
"We believe this is our responsibility to go once again called to the flag of the nation to stop this madness to defend Israel," Golov said as he navigated through the crowds on Tel Aviv's Kaplan street. "We're fighting for justice and liberty, just like the American story... We reclaim the flag."
These veterans bring a unique set of skills to the protests: organizational expertise learned in the military, discipline, and a sense of camaraderie that is unmatched among civilian protesters. Some have even taken it a step further, threatening not to train or serve if the government's plans for judicial changes go forward.
"It's the very deep feeling that you are part of something bigger than yourself," Golov said. "We all have a mission... You're willing to do it at any cost. You know that you are on the right side, and you're carrying the torch of light."
The pressure from these veterans has been seen as a key factor in moving the needle in the protest movement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently announced a pause in the legislation, citing "the present security situation." However, many protesters remain skeptical about the true nature of this delay.
"We will start doing deactivation only when we know 100% that Israel's state will stay a functional democratic country," Golov said.
As the protests continue to rage on, one thing is clear: these veterans are here to stay. With their bravery, determination, and unwavering commitment to defending Israel's democracy, they have become a force to be reckoned with in this pivotal moment in Israeli history.
In the midst of a tumultuous protest movement, a new face has emerged in the streets of Tel Aviv: veterans from elite Israeli forces. Led by men like Yiftach Golov, who served in special forces reconnaissance during the second intifada, these former soldiers are now taking up arms against what they see as a threat to Israel's democracy.
Golov, a PhD holder in biophysics, joined the protest movement after attending a demonstration and soon became one of thousands of veterans and military reservists who have taken up the cause. He is part of the "Brother and Sisters in Arms" group, which has become increasingly prominent in the protests, wearing brown shirts with their logo and wielding flags.
"We believe this is our responsibility to go once again called to the flag of the nation to stop this madness to defend Israel," Golov said as he navigated through the crowds on Tel Aviv's Kaplan street. "We're fighting for justice and liberty, just like the American story... We reclaim the flag."
These veterans bring a unique set of skills to the protests: organizational expertise learned in the military, discipline, and a sense of camaraderie that is unmatched among civilian protesters. Some have even taken it a step further, threatening not to train or serve if the government's plans for judicial changes go forward.
"It's the very deep feeling that you are part of something bigger than yourself," Golov said. "We all have a mission... You're willing to do it at any cost. You know that you are on the right side, and you're carrying the torch of light."
The pressure from these veterans has been seen as a key factor in moving the needle in the protest movement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently announced a pause in the legislation, citing "the present security situation." However, many protesters remain skeptical about the true nature of this delay.
"We will start doing deactivation only when we know 100% that Israel's state will stay a functional democratic country," Golov said.
As the protests continue to rage on, one thing is clear: these veterans are here to stay. With their bravery, determination, and unwavering commitment to defending Israel's democracy, they have become a force to be reckoned with in this pivotal moment in Israeli history.
Those vets from elite forces joining the protests is like a whole new level of solidarity and I think it's amazing 
They're not just fighting for their country, but for something much bigger - democracy and justice! Their military background must be serving them well, organizing skills and all that jazz 
It's crazy to see how this protest movement is taking off, with these vets bringing a sense of discipline and unity to the crowds 
And can we talk about Golov's words "reclaiming the flag"? 
I'm totally down for that! 
. The fact that they're not just civilians protesting, but actual veterans who have fought for this country, makes every single one of them a hero in my eyes 
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. I love how Golov talks about reclaiming the flag and fighting for justice and liberty - it's like he's channeling his inner superhero 
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. The pressure they're bringing to the table is immense, and I'm so grateful to see them using their skills for good 
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Just kidding, but seriously, I think it's amazing what these veterans are doing to stand up for what they believe in. Let's give it up for them 
!
what's next, ex-pat accountants joining the revolution? I mean, seriously though, these vets are bringing some serious skills to the table and it's awesome to see them standing up for Israel's democracy. It's like they're saying "you know what, we've been shooting people in Gaza and now it's time to stand up for justice" - priorities, folks! 
But seriously, it'll be interesting to see how this all plays out. One thing's for sure, these protesters are not messing around. I just hope they don't get too caught up in the whole "saving Israel from itself" vibe 
. I mean, didn't they just fight for the same thing? It's like, you're all about defendin' Israel and its democracy, but now you wanna take arms (literally) against a perceived threat? 
you know what struck me about these vets joining the protests? its not just about them being brave or patriotic its more about their sense of responsibility & duty towards the country & the people they swore to protect. it makes me think that we all got our own 'flag' to fight for, whether its a social cause, environmental issue or personal freedom. its how we respond when faced with adversity that defines us. do we step up as leaders or followers? 
That's just not realistic. You can't promise that everything will go exactly as planned, especially when it comes to something as complex and contentious as a judicial overhaul plan.
. It'll be interesting to see how things play out from here... 
. I think that's a powerful sentiment that resonates with many Israelis and international supporters of democracy.
. It's clear that these veterans are serious about using their skills and experience to shape public policy in Israel.
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And can we talk about their dedication? They're willing to put everything on the line for what they believe in 
It's not just about protesting; they're actually putting their lives on hold until they see some change. I hope this momentum keeps them going and that the gov't takes notice 
. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we've fought for this country and we know what it needs." And now they're waging war on the government's plans 
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