Israel's protest movement, which has been gaining momentum over the past few weeks, is led by an unlikely group: Israeli military veterans and reservists. These men and women, many of whom have served in elite forces, have taken up the cause as their new mission to defend Israel's democracy.
The protesters are not just ordinary citizens; they are highly trained individuals who have learned skills such as organization and mobilization during their military service. They see themselves as part of a larger movement that values justice and liberty, much like the American story that symbolizes Israel's founding ideals.
One veteran, Yiftach Golov, explains his motivation: "We're fighting for justice and liberty, just like the American story... We reclaim the flag." Golov himself has a unique background; he served in special forces reconnaissance during the second intifada, but was never particularly political until he joined the protest movement.
The pressure from veterans' groups has been significant, with some elite Air Force reservists even threatening to refuse training or serve in protest of the government's plans. However, Netanyahu's delay of votes on the legislation has sparked controversy among protesters, many of whom feel it is just a stalling tactic.
Golov and other protesters believe that time will tell whether Netanyahu's pause is genuine or not. "We will start doing deactivation only when we know 100% that Israel state will stay a functional democratic country." This sentiment reflects the deep concern among protesters about the erosion of Israel's democracy and the threat to its security.
The size of Saturday's demonstration in Tel Aviv was estimated at around 150,000 people, with some claiming it was even higher. Despite Netanyahu's delay, the protest movement continues, driven by a sense of duty and a desire for change.
For Golov and many others, the struggle is no longer just about politics; it's about their country's soul. "The very deep feeling that you are part of something bigger than yourself... You're willing to do it at any cost." This sense of commitment and sacrifice defines the protest movement, as these veterans put everything on the line to defend Israel's future.
The protesters are not just ordinary citizens; they are highly trained individuals who have learned skills such as organization and mobilization during their military service. They see themselves as part of a larger movement that values justice and liberty, much like the American story that symbolizes Israel's founding ideals.
One veteran, Yiftach Golov, explains his motivation: "We're fighting for justice and liberty, just like the American story... We reclaim the flag." Golov himself has a unique background; he served in special forces reconnaissance during the second intifada, but was never particularly political until he joined the protest movement.
The pressure from veterans' groups has been significant, with some elite Air Force reservists even threatening to refuse training or serve in protest of the government's plans. However, Netanyahu's delay of votes on the legislation has sparked controversy among protesters, many of whom feel it is just a stalling tactic.
Golov and other protesters believe that time will tell whether Netanyahu's pause is genuine or not. "We will start doing deactivation only when we know 100% that Israel state will stay a functional democratic country." This sentiment reflects the deep concern among protesters about the erosion of Israel's democracy and the threat to its security.
The size of Saturday's demonstration in Tel Aviv was estimated at around 150,000 people, with some claiming it was even higher. Despite Netanyahu's delay, the protest movement continues, driven by a sense of duty and a desire for change.
For Golov and many others, the struggle is no longer just about politics; it's about their country's soul. "The very deep feeling that you are part of something bigger than yourself... You're willing to do it at any cost." This sense of commitment and sacrifice defines the protest movement, as these veterans put everything on the line to defend Israel's future.
. I'm not surprised that Israeli military veterans are leading the charge - they've got some serious skills under their belts 
. But what concerns me is the timing of Netanyahu's delay in voting on the legislation... it feels like he's just trying to buy time 
.
. I mean, if they were really committed to change, wouldn't they be pushing for something more concrete? But instead, they're willing to wait around and see what Netanyahu does next... it feels like they're just trying to create some drama 
.
. And at the end of the day, it's hard not to admire the sense of duty and commitment that drives these veterans... they're putting everything on the line for their country 
.
.
. But at the same time, it's kinda cool to see these elite forces folks showing up for a cause... it says something about their commitment to what really matters 
.
. Like, I get it, Netanyahu's delay is basically just kicking the can down the road 
. But seriously, if these vets have this kind of conviction... I mean, what's gonna happen when they're done protesting? Are they just gonna hang up their uniforms and walk away 
? Or are they gonna keep pushing for real change?
? And what does it say about our own society that we're watching all this unfold from afar, wondering what we'd do in their shoes 
.
those Israeli military vets are like total heroes, fighting for their country's democracy & liberty 
i love how he says "we reclaim the flag" - it gives me chills every time 
anyway, i'm all for those protesters taking a stand against gov't delay & fighting for change 
. they're not just ordinary people, they've got skills & training that can really make a difference in organizing & mobilizing. and its cool to see them drawing parallels between israel's struggle for democracy & americas founding ideals 
. its clear that the protest movement isnt backing down & they're driven by a sense of duty & desire for change 
But on the other hand, I don't know if they're all just a bunch of idealists... I mean, have they considered the complexities of Israeli politics? 
. And you know what's even more fascinating? They're not just doing this because they want to be part of something cool, but also because they genuinely believe in the importance of protecting Israel's values and freedoms. 
? It's like, these protesters are saying, "We'll wait for a while, but we won't back down until we know our country is truly committed to being a democratic nation." 
. And it's great to see ordinary citizens supporting them, too. 
. These military vets think they can just swoop in and save Israel from itself? 
It's like they're trying out for a role in some superhero movie. And let's be real, most of them were never that into politics until now... maybe it's because they finally got to use their 'organization skills' for something more interesting than following orders 
.
. Only time will tell if Netanyahu's delay is just a stall tactic or if these protesters actually see real change... 
they're not just fighting for democracy but for the soul of their country 
It's amazing how their experience & skills from serving in elite forces are being used to fight for a cause they believe in 
.
yiftach golov's backstory is crazy tho... from special forces recon to protesting gov't plans