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After the Lebanon war there was a major change: dozens of reservists died after being thrown into combat in the final days of the invasion. That sparked an outcry that led the Israeli military to reform the system. The military reduced the size of the reserves, eliminating many less trained members. Today, less than 5 percent of Israel’s population serves in a reserve unit.
The military has created tiers of reservists, from highly trained troops who serve in elite units or pilots who fly fighter jets, to less trained people who guard settlements in the West Bank or patrol villages along the Lebanese border. But elite reservists are deployed in Gaza, some in units that include professional soldiers.
The diverse economic and social backgrounds of the reservists mean that some are openly critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, even as they fervently believe in the military mission. Along with their military uniforms, some wear T-shirts emblazoned with symbols from last summer’s mass demonstrations against Netanyahu’s overhaul of the Israeli judiciary.
When they have free time, political debates are common. “There will be guys making fun of each other, saying, ‘I hope they don’t go back to protests when they get home,’” Dr. Erez said. “It’s not very controversial. People realize that this is something important; They agree that something bigger is happening.”
There are consequences for being too blunt. On Monday, Israeli media reported that an air force reservist was fired for criticizing Netanyahu in a private WhatsApp group. “Political comments while he is serving in uniform are against the rules,” an Israeli military spokesman said.
Military analysts said opposition to Netanyahu could spell trouble for Israeli commanders if reservists were asked to participate in operations that could endanger the 240 people held by Hamas. The government’s handling of the hostages has struck a chord with the public.
“The risk is that the hostage issue will not be resolved soon, and we see a danger to the hostages in the ground operation,” said Yagil Levy, a professor and military affairs expert at the Open University of Israel. “You may see some sort of protest and even resistance among some army units.”
In the dead hours, rumors and dark theories can take root. “They tell me they take an 8 or 9-year-old boy, put an explosive vest on him and send him in,” Sergeant Schnider said of the militants in Gaza. “What are you supposed to do? “I really don’t want to get into that situation.”
While reservists tend to be older and in worse physical shape than regular soldiers, military officials insist their training and equipment are up to the task in Gaza or elsewhere. Some former commanders argue that their achievements outside the military are a net asset to the war effort.
“The reservists may act more slowly, but they are sensible,” said Brig. General Ari Singer, former head of reserves of the Israeli army. “Leadership in the reserves is more authentic, it has no relation to the ranks you have on your shoulders.”
Still, reservists can also become restless if their tours last too long. Many are married with children, and the call-up has disrupted work and family.
Manuel Trajtenberg, director of the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University, estimated that around 500,000 workers were out of work due to the mobilization and the knock-on effects on spouses forced to interrupt their jobs to take on domestic tasks.
The loss of so much labor, he said, would likely cause a rare and significant decline in Israel’s per capita economic growth.