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The article opens with the story of Eran Tamir, a seasoned Israeli infantryman who, after four tours of duty in eighteen months, publicly refused to answer the latest call-up for reserve service. Tamir’s open letter, published on Walla, accused the government of misleading the public about the war’s aims, labeling it a “moral low point” for Israel. He urged others to recognize the legitimacy of refusal, challenging the narrative that continued fighting would bring security or free the hostages held by Hamas.
Tamir’s journey—from eager volunteer after the October 2023 Hamas attack to outspoken objector—mirrors a wider crisis within Israel’s military and society. The initial wave of patriotic mobilization, following the deadliest attack in Israel’s history and the kidnapping of over 250 hostages, has given way to fatigue, skepticism, and widespread abstention from reserve duty.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have traditionally relied on reservists, who make up about 70% of its manpower. Military service is deeply ingrained in Israeli culture, and attendance rates for reserve duty have historically been high. However, as the war drags on, attendance is plummeting. The phenomenon is twofold: some, like Tamir, voice their objections openly; many more engage in “quiet refusal” by simply not reporting for duty.
This trend is evident across various branches of the military. Nearly a thousand current and former pilots and airmen signed a petition prioritizing the release of hostages over continuing the war, while hundreds of elite intelligence soldiers and army doctors have signed similar letters. The IDF refuses to disclose abstention rates, but internal reports and testimonies suggest a significant manpower crisis. Entire companies have been disbanded, and recruiters express desperation.
The personal toll on reservists is immense. Many have served over 200 days since the war began, with repeated call-ups disrupting marriages, careers, and mental health. A survey found that 41% of reservists lost their jobs due to deployment. Attendance rates in some units have dropped below 50%, with soldiers citing exhaustion and disillusionment. As one commander put it, “Everyone is spent.”
Some reservists, even those who initially supported the war, now believe military pressure endangers the remaining hostages and that only negotiation can secure their release. The gap between the government’s stated goals and the reality on the ground has eroded faith in the mission. For many, camaraderie is the only remaining motivation.
The article situates the military crisis within a broader political context. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition faces mounting criticism for its handling of the war and its priorities. A collapsed ceasefire deal in March, which would have exchanged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza for the release of hostages, fell apart over mutual distrust and additional demands.
Internationally, U.S. involvement has been inconsistent. President Trump’s recent Middle East visit focused more on lucrative arms and investment deals than on resolving the conflict. A U.S.-brokered hostage release was celebrated in Israel but did little to change the overall trajectory. The lack of a Saudi normalization deal with Israel and the U.S. withdrawal of support against Houthi attacks further weakened Netanyahu’s position.
As military operations continue, Israel has blocked humanitarian aid to Gaza, using starvation as a “pressure lever” against Hamas. Nearly half a million Gazans face starvation, and aid organizations like World Central Kitchen have run out of supplies. The government’s new offensive, approved by the cabinet, aims to displace Gaza’s population and seize operational control, with the release of hostages listed as the lowest priority.
This approach has shocked many within the military and the public. Two-thirds of Israelis believe freeing the hostages should be the top priority, highlighting a disconnect between the government and society.
The war has deepened divisions within Israel. Many reservists feel abandoned and overburdened, while ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jews, long exempt from service, continue to avoid the draft. Netanyahu’s government, reliant on Haredi parties, faces internal threats over the issue of conscription. Despite 19,000 draft notices sent to Haredi men, fewer than 300 have enlisted, fueling resentment among secular and traditional Israelis who bear the brunt of military service.
The article shares the story of Yair, a reservist who ultimately refused further service to save his family and mental health, and Uri Arad, a former POW who now advises young men to refuse service, seeing the war as a betrayal of Israel’s moral core.
Eighteen months into the conflict, Gaza is in ruins, and Israel is increasingly isolated internationally. Public opinion has shifted: only 35% now believe the war serves Israel’s interests, while 53% see it as driven by Netanyahu’s personal motives, including his legal troubles and political survival.
Despite government vows to prevent refusal, the reality is that many Israelis—motivated by exhaustion, disillusionment, or moral objection—are opting out. The IDF has responded with costly incentives, like “week by week” service rotations, to stem the tide of abstention.
The article concludes by highlighting the existential crisis facing Israel. The war has eroded the country’s moral standing, fractured its society, and left its military stretched thin. The government’s insistence on continuing the conflict, despite dwindling support and mounting human and political costs, has left many Israelis questioning not just the war, but the very soul of their nation.
This summary captures the article’s exploration of the unraveling consensus around military service in Israel, the personal and societal costs of the Gaza war, and the profound political and moral questions now confronting the country.