Military enforces discipline after Air Force veterans demand end to Gaza war and surrender to Hamas to secure hostages. Commanders reject politicization of service.

The Israel Defense Forces is moving to dismiss all active reservists who signed a controversial open letter calling for an end to the war in Gaza in favor of securing a hostage deal with Hamas—even if it means halting military operations. Though the letter was primarily signed by retired veterans, dozens of active reservists may be affected.

The IDF made clear the move is not about private opinions, but about improper use of military identity. “It is inconceivable for someone to do a shift at [the IAF] command center and head out afterward and express mistrust in the task,” the army stated, adding that soldiers cannot “use the Israeli Air Force brand” for political protest.

The letter, published as an ad in several newspapers, was signed by close to 1,000 individuals identified as Israeli Air Force personnel, most of them retired. “The continuation of the war doesn’t advance any of the declared goals of the war, and will bring about the deaths of the hostages, of IDF soldiers and innocent civilians,” it read. “As has been proven in the past, only an agreement [with Hamas] can return hostages safely, while military pressure mainly leads to the killing of hostages and the endangerment of our soldiers.”

The signatories claimed no intention to refuse service but called on the government to immediately shift focus. “We call on all citizens of Israel to mobilize for action.”

Despite the letter’s claims, the IDF noted that by signing as Air Force reservists and veterans, the individuals crossed a line. “Soldiers are free to protest in civilian life, but not while using their rank or their military affiliation to promote political messages,” said a senior IDF official.

The Chief of the Air Force, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, reportedly tried to block the letter’s publication. Once it was released, he and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir jointly moved to discharge those reservists still in uniform who were found to have signed it.

Among the more prominent signatories were Dan Halutz, a former IDF Chief of Staff and ex-commander of the IAF, and Nimrod Sheffer, former head of the IDF’s Planning Directorate.

The letter reignited a fierce debate over military service and civil protest. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed the IDF’s decision, saying: “Refusal to serve is refusal to serve, even if it’s only hinted at in whitewashed language. Statements that weaken the IDF and strengthen our enemies in a time of war are unforgivable.” He denounced the signatories as “a group of fringe extremists who are trying once again to break Israeli society from within.”

Netanyahu linked the letter to past protests against the 2023 judicial reform, suggesting such dissent emboldened Hamas. “They tried to do it before October 7 and Hamas interpreted the refusal calls as a weakness,” he said. “They don’t represent the soldiers or the public.”

Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed the sentiment, stating: “I strongly reject the letter by the Air Force reservists and the attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the just war that the IDF is leading in Gaza for the return of the hostages and the defeat of the murderous Hamas terrorist organization.” He added: “I trust the judgment of the chief of staff and the Air Force commander and am convinced that they will handle this unacceptable phenomenon in the most appropriate way.”

Others went further. MK Simcha Rothman of the Religious Zionism party demanded all signatories be fired: “This is part of a media campaign to undermine the government.” MK Almog Cohen of Otzma Yehudit accused the group of “criminal irresponsibility,” calling the letter “another open invitation to the next massacre.” Cohen demanded punitive measures even for retirees: “Revoke the ranks and military pensions of those who are no longer serving.”

The incident follows earlier cases in which a few reservists were dismissed for refusing service, including air force combat navigator Alon Gur, who said: “A line was crossed. The state was again abandoning its citizens in broad daylight.”

Still, the IDF notes that the overwhelming majority of reservists have remained committed. Following the brutal Hamas-led massacre on October 7, nearly 300,000 reservists reported for duty in what became Israel’s largest mobilization in history.

The Air Force, which has played a central role in targeting Hamas operatives and infrastructure in Gaza and in broader regional operations, including airstrikes in Yemen against Iranian proxies, is considered an elite branch. Military leaders emphasized that preserving its cohesion and credibility is essential.

While the IDF emphasized that private political views are respected, it reaffirmed that uniformed personnel cannot blur the lines between military discipline and political activism.

The dismissals, while unfortunate, signal the IDF’s commitment to unity of purpose at a time of existential struggle.