Shortly before a crucial vote on a controversial judicial reform bill in parliament, the Israeli military has raised the stakes in an effort to prevent it from passing.
More than 10,000 reservists have said they would no longer show up for duty if the government's controversial judicial restructuring is not stopped, their protest movement "Brothers in Arms" announced in Herzliya on Saturday evening, according to media reports.
This could reportedly significantly affect the military's operational readiness.
The military initially declined to comment on the matter.
On Friday, more than 1000 air force reservists had already threatened to walk out in case the bill aiming to weaken the judiciary gets passed.
In response, Defence Minister Joav Galant announced that he would try seek a "consensus".
Media reports say he will try to postpone a vote scheduled for Monday on a key element of his government's controversial plans.
More than 100 of the country's top ex-security chiefs expressed support for the possible draft dodgers in a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, urging him to halt the legislation.
Netanyahu is "personally responsible for the serious damage being done to the military and Israel's security," the letter said.
Meanwhile, more than 200,000 people across the country took to the streets on Saturday evening to demonstrate against the plan.
Carrying blue and white Israeli flags, a kilometres-long column of protesters hiked up the winding highway to Jerusalem under a scorching summer sun to the sounds of beating drums and anti-government chants.
Others gathered in the centre of Tel Aviv.
Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition says the bill is needed to balance out the branches of power.
Critics say the amendment is being rushed through parliament and will open the door to abuse of power.
with Reuters
