The Israeli Channel 13 Report about Officers’ Refusal of Military Service is Outdated
The Claim
4 brigadier generals along with 200 pilots left military airbases. Rumors of a large group of #Zionist soldiers escaping from the battlefield is true, and now there are reports of severe differences within the cabinet itself.
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Emerging story
Recently, social media users widely circulated a video from an Israeli channel, claiming that four Israeli Air Force Commanders and approximately 200 pilots have rebelled and withdrew from military air bases. The publishers mentioned that the withdrawal occurred following the Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, which was launched by the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military arm of Hamas.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating video and found the claim to be misleading.
A thorough reverse image search revealed the video making the rounds to be outdated and unrelated to a rebellion by Israeli officers following the Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.
The Israeli Air Force Officers withdrawal in Rejection of Judicial Reform Plan
The circulated report back to the coverage of the Israeli Channel 13 in July 2023. More than 200 volunteers in the Israeli Air Force reserve announced that they have stopped working in rejection of administrative changes that limited the powers of the Israeli Supreme Court, preventing its judges from overturning government decisions, ministerial appointments, or career appointments.
At that time, the Israeli media highlighted that among the protesters were base leaders and senior officials, who had been trained to fight in certain areas for specific purposes and could not be replaced easily and immediately.
During the event coverage, Al Jazeera’s correspondent reported that the retreating military included pilots, technicians, surveillance and control officials and drone operators.
Approval of Judicial Reform Amendments in Israel
It is worth noting that the Israeli parliament approved judicial reform amendments in July 2023, which limits the powers of the Supreme Court after it received 64 votes to none, following the opposition's withdrawal from the voting session.
Opponents reported that the Government's proposed judicial reform plan abolished judicial oversight of the Government and Parliament, undermining Israel's democratic system.
Local media and news agencies documented thousands of Israelis took to the streets to protest the judicial reform plan, which prompted more reserve officers in the Israeli Air Force to refrain from military service, along with the announcement of a 24-hour general strike by the Israeli Medical Association upon the plan’s announcement.
Ongoing Israeli Aggression on the Gaza Strip
The circulation of these claims coincides with the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, following Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, which was launched by Hamas movement.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 5,087 people in Gaza have been killed in retaliatory strikes from Israel with another 15,273 more injured. In addition to 95 people have been killed in the West Bank and more than 1,828 injured.
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