Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a meeting with his Likud party in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem June 14, 2021. Photo: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

i24 News – Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening urged lawmakers from his Likud party to stay “within the limits of the relevant discourse” when criticizing reservists who are protesting judicial reform plans.

Earlier this week, two government ministers sparked backlash over their harsh comments against the reservists who are protesting the judicial overhaul by refusing to perform their military duty.

“Refusal is a dangerous phenomenon and should be strongly opposed. But even when doing so, and even in the heat of the moment, it should be done within the limits of the relevant discourse. The task for all of us is to try to calm spirits and not inflame them, and this applies to everyone without exception,” Netanyahu said.

His statements were likely addressed to Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Information Minister Galit Distel Atbaryan. Karhi said in a Purim post on social media that those who refuse to perform their military duty in protest “can go to hell.” A group of reservists showed up at the minister’s home on Tuesday, telling him his remarks caused permanent damage.

His fellow Likud member Atbaryan posted on Twitter that “there were soldiers here who took the bones of their brothers out of the grave and did not refuse an order,” referring to military rabbis who had to dig up bodies from Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip during the 2005 disengagement.

Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, also of the Likud party, on Tuesday said he supported reserves soldiers, “regardless” of their political stance.

“Those who disparage IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldiers, from the left or the right, have no place in public service,” the minister said. “I cherish, appreciate, and support the reservists, regardless of their political position.”