Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF on Sunday to remove an anti-government activist, who is a member of the Brothers in Arms movement and of Yair Golan’s The Democrats party, from any army reserve duty after he appeared to encourage refusal to serve on political grounds.

Omri Ronen, an Israel Defense Forces officer in the elite Maglan unit who has served more than 350 days of reserve duty since October 7, 2023, told Channel 12 news on Saturday that Israelis should “do everything to prevent a coup d’état… including refusing to report” for military service.

Ronen’s grandmother, Nira Ronen, 86, was murdered by terrorists who stormed into Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7, 2023.

A statement issued by the Defense Ministry said Katz views such remarks by active reservists “with great severity,” and reiterates his policy that there is “no place in the reserve forces” for anyone who explicitly or implicitly calls for refusal to serve or incites against military service.

Katz declared “zero tolerance” for refusal to serve, saying he has instructed IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir to ensure Ronen is removed “from any framework of service in the IDF.”

“I will not allow the scourge of refusal to return to the ranks of the IDF – for any reason,” Katz said, adding that the same policy will apply in any similar future case and insisting that the military “must remain outside political disputes and only serve Israel’s security.”

The Democrats MK Naama Lazimi criticized........

© The Times of Israel