Israel's elite military veterans are rallying behind a protest movement, using their skills and experience to help mobilize the crowds. Many of these former soldiers have taken on an even more active role in the demonstrations, which have been taking place across the country for weeks.
Among them is Yiftach Golov, a veteran who served in special forces during the second intifada. He has become one of the leaders of the group "Brother and Sisters in Arms," which wears brown shirts with their logo to show solidarity. Golov says that he has not taken the drastic step of refusing service or training as some reservists have, but he understands why others are considering it.
"We're fighting for justice and liberty, just like the American story," Golov said, referring to the values enshrined in Israel's flag. "That's what's been lacking in this country for decades. So basically, we're reclaiming the flag."
Fellow members of the group wear brown shirts with their logo, some even leading chants and drumming for the protests. The organization is using skills learned in the military to organize and mobilize, but it's also driven by a deep sense of motivation.
"The feeling that you are part of something bigger than yourself," Golov said, "that (you're) allowed to sacrifice anything that is needed... That keeps us highly motivated despite not sleeping for days."
The pressure from Israel's veterans has been seen as a key factor in the movement's success. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a pause in the legislation last week, citing security concerns and the refusal of some reservists to train in protest.
However, many protesters are skeptical that the pause is real or genuine. Some see it as a stalling tactic by Netanyahu to give himself time to maneuver before pushing ahead with the reforms.
"We will start doing deactivation only when we know 100% that Israel's state will stay a functional democratic country," Golov said.
The protests continue, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets across the country. The movement is not just about military veterans; it's also driven by ordinary citizens who are determined to save Israeli democracy.
As the standoff continues, Netanyahu has vowed to push ahead with the reforms, warning that refusing service or training could be "the end of our country." But for Golov and others, it's a matter of principle. They're willing to fight for their country's values and institutions, even if it means risking their own careers and personal freedoms.
The situation remains volatile, but one thing is clear: Israel's military veterans are not going away anytime soon. They'll continue to demonstrate, organize, and push for change until they see the reforms reversed or the country's democratic institutions restored.
Among them is Yiftach Golov, a veteran who served in special forces during the second intifada. He has become one of the leaders of the group "Brother and Sisters in Arms," which wears brown shirts with their logo to show solidarity. Golov says that he has not taken the drastic step of refusing service or training as some reservists have, but he understands why others are considering it.
"We're fighting for justice and liberty, just like the American story," Golov said, referring to the values enshrined in Israel's flag. "That's what's been lacking in this country for decades. So basically, we're reclaiming the flag."
Fellow members of the group wear brown shirts with their logo, some even leading chants and drumming for the protests. The organization is using skills learned in the military to organize and mobilize, but it's also driven by a deep sense of motivation.
"The feeling that you are part of something bigger than yourself," Golov said, "that (you're) allowed to sacrifice anything that is needed... That keeps us highly motivated despite not sleeping for days."
The pressure from Israel's veterans has been seen as a key factor in the movement's success. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a pause in the legislation last week, citing security concerns and the refusal of some reservists to train in protest.
However, many protesters are skeptical that the pause is real or genuine. Some see it as a stalling tactic by Netanyahu to give himself time to maneuver before pushing ahead with the reforms.
"We will start doing deactivation only when we know 100% that Israel's state will stay a functional democratic country," Golov said.
The protests continue, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets across the country. The movement is not just about military veterans; it's also driven by ordinary citizens who are determined to save Israeli democracy.
As the standoff continues, Netanyahu has vowed to push ahead with the reforms, warning that refusing service or training could be "the end of our country." But for Golov and others, it's a matter of principle. They're willing to fight for their country's values and institutions, even if it means risking their own careers and personal freedoms.
The situation remains volatile, but one thing is clear: Israel's military veterans are not going away anytime soon. They'll continue to demonstrate, organize, and push for change until they see the reforms reversed or the country's democratic institutions restored.
I think what's crazy is how some of these reservists are willing to risk their careers over this... it's like they're seeing something we don't in the protests. Like, Yiftach Golov says he's fighting for justice and liberty, but I'm not sure if that's just PR or genuinely what's driving him. Also, Netanyahu's all about stalling now, but is that really gonna work? The fact that hundreds of thousands are taking to the streets shows people aren't buying it. What's interesting though is how ordinary citizens are getting involved too - it's like they're saying "we're not just protesting for veterans, we're fighting for ourselves and our future". That gives me hope, I guess 
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! I mean, you've got guys like Yiftach Golov who've been through some serious stuff and are still fighting for what they believe in 
. It's not just about refusing service or training, it's about reclaiming the flag and standing up for justice and liberty 
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. These vets are willing to risk everything to protect their country's values and institutions, and I've got nothing but respect for that 
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. And let's not forget that Golov's been saying we've lost sight of what Israel's really about, and I couldn't agree more 
. They'll keep demonstrating, organizing, and pushing for change until they see real change happen 
. Can't wait to see how it all plays out!
. The phrase "reclaiming the flag" really resonates with me - it's like they're saying, "Hey, we're not just soldiers, we're patriots too!" 
. It's a bold move, but I think it's necessary to inspire others to join the cause 
. One thing's for sure, though: Israel's military veterans are not going away anytime soon 
. They're in this for the long haul, and I'm rooting for them 
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. These guys are literally risking their careers and freedom for what they believe in, and that takes major courage 
. It's like, who better to lead the charge than someone who's been through the trenches? And Golov, man... he just gets it 
. The whole "reclaiming the flag" thing is so true 
. I think they're just stalling to figure out their next move 
. But honestly, at this point, I'd rather see these soldiers keep pushing forward and fighting for what they believe in 
), it's about standing up for democracy and the principles of a functional country 
Golov's quote about reclaiming the flag is so poignant, but at the same time, I can see why some people think Netanyahu's pause might be just a stalling tactic 
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. These soldiers are willing to risk everything for what they believe in, and that's something we should all be proud of 
. Also, 40% of reservists are refusing service due to concerns over the new legislation 
. The number of demonstrators has been increasing by 30% every week - it's like a snowball effect 
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: on the first day of protests, there were around 15,000 people; now we're talking hundreds of thousands 
. And if you look at the map, you can see that protesters are not just concentrated in one area - they're spreading across the country 
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: he says that 80% of veterans support the protests, which is huge considering some high-ranking officers opposed it initially 
. The hashtag #StopTheReforms is trending worldwide - it's getting serious 
. As a veteran myself (not in the military, but I've volunteered with some organizations), I can understand why these soldiers are so passionate about this issue. They're not just fighting for themselves, they're fighting for the values that Israel was founded on - justice, liberty, and equality.
. This is a critical moment in Israeli history, and we can't afford to lose the momentum. We have to stand up for democracy, equality, and human rights - not just for Israelis, but for all of us who care about justice and freedom.
. But what's interesting is that they're using their experience to organize and mobilize the crowds - it's like something out of a movie 
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