JERUSALEM: Israel`s military said on Friday it was examining the impact of a letter sent by air force reservists who threatened to stop volunteering for service if the government goes ahead with a planned judicial overhaul.

Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the military was checking details of the letter that he said was initialled by more than 1,100 reservists and `accordingly, will examine the implications`.

The letter, published in Israeli media without listing the signatories, was the latest sign of opposition within the military to judicial changes being pushed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu`s religiousnationalist coalition.

It appeared to make at least some coalition members more intent on moving ahead with the changes. `Even if we wanted to leave the legislation and stop, we simply cannot,` said Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich,one of Netanyahu`s farright partners. `A country that gives in to threats of generals will actually be a country ruled by a military junta, which is the farthest thing from democracy.

Air force veterans say reservists who volunteer after completing their mandatory military service make up around half of crews sent on combat sorties.

Proponents of the judicial changes say they would restore balance to the branches of government. Critics say they would remove vital checks and balances. The drive has sparked months of unprece dented nationwide protests, bruised the economy and stirred concern among Western allies.

In a letter addressed to lawmakers, the military`s chief of staff and the air force chief, the reservists called for broad agreements on the judicial overhaul and for the government to maintain the independence of the judiciary.-Reuters