The first day of school at Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium in Tel Aviv wasn’t just about classmates and new teachers this year. Because despite the warning of the Ministry of Education and the resistance of the school board, a protest was organized against the legal reforms and 220 students announced that they would not join compulsory military service in Israel from the age of eighteen.

Following the announcement of the withdrawal of thousands of reserve soldiers from future service, concerns are growing about the country’s military preparedness. Intentional legal reforms, which are the reason more and more Israelis are abandoning their military service, will ensure that the government will soon have more power and the Supreme Court less. On July 24, the first reform was approved in the Israeli parliament.

“We will refuse to serve a government that undermines the justice system,” the teens wrote in an open letter to the military. This message is expressed repeatedly during the protest. There is a large sign on the school grounds that says in Hebrew: “Dictatorship is not acceptable in Israel and surrounding areas.” It’s time to say no. The protest organization, Youth Against Dictatorship, does not just speak out against legal reforms.

The Israeli occupation in the West Bank is also a thorn in the side of many students. Sophie, 18, says she decided not to serve in the Israeli army long before the reforms. “My initial reasons were the occupation in the West Bank, but I know that many other students will not refuse to study until legal reforms are made.”

Previously, more than 10,000 reservists from various army units said they would not return to duty if the legislation came into effect, according to Democratic Institute figures. Although the number of resigning reservists represents a small minority of reservists, some of them hold important positions. Throughout its history, the IDF has relied on reservists to maintain operational readiness in the region.

Social cohesion among Israelis also forms an important part of Israeli military service. Both sides were affected when the most right-wing government in Israel’s history pushed reforms through parliament. The rejection of service requests also causes tensions between Prime Minister Netanyahu and the army leadership. Last month, Israeli media described Netanyahu’s chant, which held the army responsible for the bad situation surrounding reserve soldiers.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard petitions on whether the new reasonableness law violates fundamental laws. In October, Parliament will return from recess and it will become clear what the government does with the rest of the legal reforms and what consequences this will have for the IDF.