Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that his ministry will bar individuals from IDF service if they publicly call for military insubordination or express refusal to serve. "I am determined to eradicate the phenomenon of refusal from the IDF, just as I have acted since the beginning of my tenure as the defense minister. One law for all," Katz said in a statement.
The minister's office issued a letter barring Omri Ronen, a candidate within the Democrats Party led by Knesset Member Yair Golan, from reserve duty. The action followed an interview Ronen gave to Channel 12, in which he stated he favors "doing whatever it takes" To prevent passage of judicial reform legislation that the coalition government had pursued before the October 7, 2023 war began. He made the remark when directly asked whether such efforts could include military service refusal.
Ronen began his political activities in 2023 as part of protests against the judicial reform. He initially organized within army and reserve circles, then joined the organization Brothers in Arms and became one of its leaders. During the protests, he announced he would suspend his volunteer reserve duty if the government completed the judicial reform legislation.
Katz instructed the IDF chief of staff to ensure Ronen's expulsion from any military role. "This will also be done in any similar case in the future. The IDF must remain outside of political disputes and serve only Israel's security," He stated.