Israeli Military Faces Internal Division as Veterans and Reservists Protest Gaza War Policies

Nearly 10,000 retired and reservist Israeli soldiers, including elite air force veterans, have signed letters protesting the Gaza war, accusing Prime Minister Netanyahu of prolonging it for political reasons and failing to secure hostages' release. The military's threat to dismiss active reservists has intensified tensions, raising concerns about national unity and operational capacity. Public opinion has shifted, with 70% prioritizing hostage return over Hamas's destruction. Critics accuse Netanyahu of resuming the war to appease hardline coalition partners, while military exemptions for ultra-Orthodox communities add to the discontent.

Mounting Dissent from Within

In recent weeks, nearly 10,000 former Israeli soldiers, including around 1,000 air force veterans, have signed protest letters urging an end to the war in Gaza. The letters, which have circulated widely across military and civilian sectors, accuse the government of using the war to serve political interests rather than national security.

Guy Poran, a retired Israeli Air Force pilot and one of the initiators of the protest, told the Associated Press, “It’s crystal clear that the renewal of the war is for political reasons and not for security reasons.” Poran and others have pointed to Netanyahu’s decision on March 18, 2025, to resume military operations in Gaza after a ceasefire had facilitated the release of some hostages. Since then, no additional hostages have been freed, and 24 of the 59 believed to still be alive remain in captivity.

The protest letters have not included outright refusals to serve, but the symbolic weight of the signatories—many from elite units—has amplified their impact. “We are aware of the relative importance and the weight of the brand of Israeli Air Force pilots,” Poran said. “It is exactly the kind of case where we should use this title in order to influence society.”

Military Response and Fallout

The Israeli military responded swiftly to the initial letter from air force veterans, stating that any active reservist who signed would be dismissed. This decision surprised many and sparked further backlash. In the days that followed, thousands more reservists and retired soldiers from across the military signed similar letters in solidarity.

Eran Duvdevani, who organized a letter signed by 2,500 former paratroopers, said the goal was to show that “the pilots are not alone.” He added, “Their concern over the war’s direction is a widespread opinion, and you have to take it into consideration.”

A military official, speaking anonymously under army guidelines, acknowledged the seriousness of the protest movement. “The army is taking the letters very seriously,” the official said. “It joins a list of challenges to calling up reservists, and the army is working to support them.” The official emphasized that the military should remain “above all political dispute.”

Erosion of Military Cohesion

The Israeli military, long seen as a unifying institution in a deeply divided society, is now facing a crisis of cohesion. The number of reservists reporting for duty has dropped so significantly that the army has resorted to social media campaigns to encourage enlistment. Many reservists cite exhaustion, family obligations, and financial strain as reasons for not returning to service.

Eran Halperin, a social psychology expert at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, described the protest letters as “the most important indication of the erosion of the ethos in this particular war.” He noted that the war, which initially enjoyed broad public support, has become increasingly controversial as the death toll rises and hostages remain in captivity. Nearly 850 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the war began in October 2023.

Public Opinion and Political Accusations

A recent survey by the Israel Democracy Institute found that nearly 70% of Israelis now prioritize the return of hostages over the destruction of Hamas—up from just over 50% in January 2024. Nearly 60% of respondents believe that Netanyahu’s dual goals of eliminating Hamas and rescuing hostages cannot be achieved simultaneously.

Critics, including many families of the hostages, accuse Netanyahu of resuming the war to appease his hardline coalition partners, who have threatened to collapse the government if the fighting ends. “Netanyahu says the military pressure is needed to force Hamas to release the remaining hostages,” one report noted. “Critics fear that it will get them killed.”

The government’s continued military exemptions for ultra-Orthodox communities—key supporters of Netanyahu’s coalition—have further inflamed tensions. Many reservists express frustration that while they are repeatedly called to serve, others are allowed to avoid military duty altogether.

Hostage Crisis Remains Unresolved

The fate of the hostages remains a central issue driving the protests. On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. While some hostages were released during a temporary ceasefire, no additional rescues have occurred since the war resumed in March 2025.

Families of the hostages have become increasingly vocal, demanding that the government prioritize negotiations over military action. “This occupies me, my mind, every day from morning to night and throughout the night when I wake up many times,” one family member told The New York Times.

Government Messaging and Military Tours

In response to growing criticism, Netanyahu’s office has released a series of public statements and videos highlighting his efforts to secure the hostages’ release. On April 15, he toured northern Gaza with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, praising the “amazing reservists” and calling their work “marvelous.” In a video released by his office, Netanyahu is seen marching through the dunes surrounded by soldiers, declaring, “We are fighting for our existence. We are fighting for our future.”

Despite these efforts, skepticism remains high. The protest movement continues to grow, with support from academics, doctors, former diplomats, and high-tech professionals. The internal dissent has spilled beyond the military, echoing the political turmoil of early 2023, when Netanyahu’s controversial judicial overhaul plan sparked mass protests and was cited by some as a factor that emboldened Hamas to launch its October attack.

References

• Protest letters from former Israeli soldiers lay bare profound rifts over the ongoing war
• Thousands of Retired Israeli Soldiers Demand End to Gaza War
• As Netanyahu’s war in Gaza drags on, splits in Israeli society deepen
• Protest letters from former Israeli soldiers lay bare profound rifts over the ongoing war
• Gaza hostages Articles and latest stories | The Jerusalem Post
• Protest letters from former Israeli soldiers lay bare profound rifts over the ongoing war