Defense Minister Israel Katz today (Sunday) instructed the Chief of Staff to remove Omri Ronen, a candidate in the Democrats Party primary, from the ranks of the reserves, following his statements calling for non-reporting for service. A letter sent by the Chief of Staff of the Defense Minister to the Chief of Staff clarified that the minister views statements that encourage refusal with great severity.
The decision was made following an interview Ronen gave last night on the “Meet the Press” program, in which he stated that he “will do everything, including not reporting for reserve service, as part of his political activity.” The bureau’s letter stated that this was a “serious statement that actually encourages refusal and harms the strength of the IDF.”
According to the policy published in the letter, “there is no place for calling up for reserve service someone who publicly calls for non-reporting or refusal.” It was further emphasized that statements against military service harm the values of the army, its cohesion and its operational competence. The minister instructed to act in accordance with the army’s orders towards anyone who does not meet the required standards.
The Minister made it clear to the defense that “the one afflicted with conscientious objection will not be allowed to return to the ranks of the IDF.” Accordingly, the minister ordered Ronen to be removed from any reserve service framework due to his “publicly calling for and preaching conscientious objection for political reasons.” The letter stated that this directive is valid and constitutes a precedent according to which “any similar case in the future should be dealt with.”