Defense Minister Israel Katz launched a campaign against refusal to serve in the IDF, stating he will not allow the phenomenon to return to the military. According to reports, the minister singled out Omri Ronen, who is reportedly set to be expelled from the IDF for refusal.
Defense Minister Israel Katz on Sunday launched a broader campaign against refusal to serve in the IDF, stating he will not tolerate the return of the phenomenon. The announcement follows his earlier instruction to remove Omri Ronen from all military service frameworks, which was first reported at 10:17 Jerusalem. Katz's statement marks an escalation from a targeted directive to a declared policy of zero tolerance, with the minister saying 'one law for all.'
Earlier today at 10:17 Jerusalem, the Defense Minister's office initially reported that Katz had demanded the IDF take disciplinary action against Ronen. Within minutes, multiple outlets—including N12, Channel 14, and journalists Daphna Liel and Noam Amir—confirmed that Katz had instructed the Chief of Staff to expel Ronen from all reserve and active service. The thread shows a rapid sequence of corroboration: from an unconfirmed demand to a formal instruction backed by the minister's office and multiple newsrooms.
Ronen, a Brothers in Arms activist and candidate for the Democrats party, had previously advocated for reserve refusal, as The Zioneer reported. The broader campaign against refusal reflects Katz's stated intent to prevent the issue from re-emerging in the military, amid ongoing societal debate over draft refusal.
It remains unclear whether the IDF has executed the instruction to remove Ronen. No official confirmation of his expulsion or any appeal process has been reported as of 15:05 Jerusalem.
9 developments
- DevelopingOmri Ronen, Democracy Party figure who threatened reserve refusal, lectures IDF soldiers
- DevelopingIntelligence expert calls for arrest of Omri Ronen for advocating non-reporting to prevent 'legal coup'
- StrongBitton Rosen: Chief of Staff made political decision on Azaria record, against defense minister
- DevelopingHillel Bitton Rosen criticizes Katz, says troops must destroy the enemy, not just remove threats
Source and signal
- Internal intake