Retired and Reserve Pilots Calling the Government to Immediately Stop the Destructive Legislation

In a letter released to Israeli media on Friday, July 13, 2023, 1700 reserve and retired pilot call government to immediately stop the judicial overhaul legislation saying they will support pilots who refuse to volunteer.

Letter Translation:

A transformational event took place in Israel on Tuesday, July 11, 2023: the Knesset passed the first reading of a bill that could severely impact the Israeli judiciary. If passed as a law, it would unreasonably expand the nature of government decisions that are not subject to judicial overview.

When government decisions are not subject to judicial review based on reasonableness one of the pillars of Israeli democracy collapses leading to a dictatorial form of governance. Under a dictatorship, public organizations, businesses, private entities, and citizens cannot demand remedy for injustices and distortions caused by unreasonable government decisions.

We, approximately 1700 retired and reserve pilots, insist on our rights as citizens to live and raise children in a democratic and Jewish homeland, and we call upon the government to rescind the legislation in the Knesset and to not move the bill to second and third readings.

Having a thorough understanding of the implications of cessation of active-pilot status, the signatories hereby relay the following unambiguous message to reserve active pilots: We unequivocally support any of your protest actions including immediate cessation of volunteering for reserve active pilot duties.

Signed: 1700 Israeli pilots.