Dozens of Knesset members have signed a sharply worded letter to IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, urging him to return Reserve Battalion 941 to active operational duty after its soldiers were suspended following an incident involving a CNN crew.

The initiative was led by MK Zvi Sukkot in response to the decision made a day earlier to remove the battalion from operational activity. He organized the letter, which drew signatures from dozens of lawmakers. The MKs opened by expressing strong support for the IDF and its wartime operations, noting that under Zamir’s leadership, Israeli forces are fighting terrorism “in a manner that has drawn admiration worldwide.”

At the same time, the signatories leveled strong criticism at the decision to sideline the battalion, arguing that it appeared to have been driven by media coverage. They described the move as highly unusual and warned that it could undermine trust among combat soldiers and reservists—particularly at a time when the military depends on broad mobilization.

The letter stressed that the decision carries significant consequences, both operationally and in the public and family spheres. The MKs cautioned that it could damage troop morale, erode public confidence in the defense establishment, and hinder ongoing efforts to integrate additional populations into military service.

In closing, the lawmakers called on the chief of staff to reverse the decision and order the battalion’s immediate return to full operational activity.

MK Sukkot described the move as “an outrageous decision,” adding that it is unacceptable for considerations of media optics to outweigh the need to stand behind soldiers working to protect the country. He said it is the responsibility of Knesset members to oversee such decisions and prevent harm to the reserve system.

Among those who signed the letter were MKs Tzvika Fogel, Ariel Kallner, Nissim Vaturi, Amit Halevi, Tali Gottlieb, Simcha Rothman, David Bitan, Galit Distel Atbaryan, Akram Hasson, Michel Buskila, and others.

{Matzav.com}