Katz: Democrats Party member barred from IDF service over call for military refusal

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Sunday that Omri Ronen, a candidate with the far-left Democrats Party, will be barred from IDF reserve duty due to his public calls for military refusal. Katz stated his determination to "eradicate the phenomenon of refusal from the IDF," emphasizing "one law for all." Ronen, a leader in the Brothers in Arms organization, had previously indicated he would suspend his volunteer reserve duty if judicial reform legislation passed, and recently told Channel 12 he supported "doing whatever it takes" to prevent the reform, including military refusal. Katz instructed the IDF chief of staff to expel Ronen from any military role, adding, "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."