The backbone of Israel's protest movement is comprised of military veterans, many of whom served in elite forces, who have now turned their attention to defending the country's democracy. These veterans, including Yiftach Golov, are part of a group called "Brother and Sisters in Arms" that has taken up the cause as their new mission.
Golov, a veteran from special forces reconnaissance unit, says he was motivated to join the protests after attending one demonstration. He believes it's his responsibility to fight for Israel's democracy and defend its values, which he believes are being threatened by the government's judicial overhaul plan. The group's brown flag, which looks different from the Israeli national flag, represents their stance.
The protesters, who number in the hundreds of thousands, are not just ordinary citizens but also include elite Air Force reservists who have taken a stand against the government's plans. Some have even threatened to refuse training or serve in protest of the proposed changes. These veterans are using their military skills to organize and mobilize the protests.
The pressure from these veteran groups has been instrumental in moving the needle on the issue, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing a pause to the legislation last week after weeks of sustained protests and the largest general strike in Israeli history. However, many protesters remain skeptical about the government's intentions, believing that the delay is just a stalling tactic.
The military veterans, including Golov, say they are motivated by a sense of duty and responsibility to protect Israel's democracy. They believe that the proposed changes would threaten the country's security and way of life. "We're fighting for justice and liberty," Golov said. "That's what our flag represents – values that we're losing."
The protest movement is not just about opposing the government's plans but also about reclaiming Israel's democracy and defending its values. The veteran groups are using their experience and skills to lead the protests, which have become increasingly organized and coordinated.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the future of the legislation, one thing is clear – the military veterans will continue to play a key role in shaping the protest movement. As Golov said, "We'll start deactivating only when we know 100% that Israel will stay a functional democratic country."
Golov, a veteran from special forces reconnaissance unit, says he was motivated to join the protests after attending one demonstration. He believes it's his responsibility to fight for Israel's democracy and defend its values, which he believes are being threatened by the government's judicial overhaul plan. The group's brown flag, which looks different from the Israeli national flag, represents their stance.
The protesters, who number in the hundreds of thousands, are not just ordinary citizens but also include elite Air Force reservists who have taken a stand against the government's plans. Some have even threatened to refuse training or serve in protest of the proposed changes. These veterans are using their military skills to organize and mobilize the protests.
The pressure from these veteran groups has been instrumental in moving the needle on the issue, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing a pause to the legislation last week after weeks of sustained protests and the largest general strike in Israeli history. However, many protesters remain skeptical about the government's intentions, believing that the delay is just a stalling tactic.
The military veterans, including Golov, say they are motivated by a sense of duty and responsibility to protect Israel's democracy. They believe that the proposed changes would threaten the country's security and way of life. "We're fighting for justice and liberty," Golov said. "That's what our flag represents – values that we're losing."
The protest movement is not just about opposing the government's plans but also about reclaiming Israel's democracy and defending its values. The veteran groups are using their experience and skills to lead the protests, which have become increasingly organized and coordinated.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the future of the legislation, one thing is clear – the military veterans will continue to play a key role in shaping the protest movement. As Golov said, "We'll start deactivating only when we know 100% that Israel will stay a functional democratic country."
It's crazy to think that some of these guys, who've been through some serious stuff in their elite units, are now using those same skills to organize protests and push back against the government. And honestly, I'm kinda impressed by their dedication to defending Israel's democracy – it's not always easy to take a stand like that, especially when you're used to following orders 
What I think is most interesting, though, is how much of an impact these veterans are having on the gov't's decision-making. Like, if PM Netanyahu can pause the legislation just because the protesters are getting too loud, then maybe there's something to this whole " democracy" thing 
. And Golov's dedication to fighting for Israel's democracy? Totally inspiring 
. It's like he knows that as someone who's seen the trenches, he has a unique perspective on what's at stake 
.
. Like, they're not just fighting against the government – they're fighting for something bigger than that 
. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we know what democracy looks like, and this is where it's headed, so let's take action 
".
.
But at the same time I can see why some people would be skeptical about the gov't's intentions... it feels like they're just trying to buy some time or get the issue off their hands.
. If they're really committed to reforming the judicial system, why is it taking so long? The fact that Netanyahu announced a pause in the legislation after weeks of protesting just feels like a way to stall for time 
.
. The hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets is an incredible show of force, and I hope it brings about real change soon 
.
For instance, while they're motivated by a sense of duty and responsibility, it seems like their message is being amplified by some external forces rather than just spontaneous grassroots movement.
And while Yiftach Golov's statement about fighting for justice and liberty sounds admirable, I'd love to see more context on what specific values he's trying to protect.
They're not just putting their bodies on the line, but also using their military skills to organize and mobilize the protests. It's like they say in the army - "the power of the pack" is really something special here 
. These vets, they're good people, but have we really thought this through? They're using their skills to mobilize protests, which is great, but what about the regular folk who aren't as connected or tech-savvy? We can't just rely on the veterans to lead the charge - we need more voices at the table 
. It's like, yeah, protect Israel's democracy, but also let's not forget the everyday citizens who are getting hurt by these laws 
I gotta say, I'm loving how these military vets are stepping up and speaking out against their gov. It's crazy to think they're willing to risk everything for the sake of democracy 
I mean, it's not every day you see veterans from special forces units taking a stand against the government. Interesting how they're seeing themselves as part of defending Israel's democracy too 
, so many people are coming together for a cause 
, fighting for what they believe in and defending their country's democracy 
. I'm impressed by how organized and coordinated these protests have become 
. And, Yiftach Golov is like, super passionate about this 
... maybe a better future for Israel? 
they're demanding 100% guarantee that israel will stay a functional democratic country 
. It shows that they're not afraid to be different and stand out from the crowd. And I love how Golov says "we'll start deactivating only when we know 100% that Israel will stay a functional democratic country." That's some serious dedication