Reuters reports that dozens of Israeli troops protesting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial crackdown decided not to participate in a Wednesday drill. The troops, who are members of Israel’s air force reserves, stated in a letter distributed to Israeli media that they would instead focus on “conversation and reflection for the sake of democracy and national unity.” The unusual move comes as Netanyahu and his party seek to deprive the Supreme Court of its authority, including the ability to rule against members of Israel’s legislative and executive branches, a move critics fear is meant to protect Netanyahu from an impending trial. It also comes after hundreds of reservists took part in a protest march last month. Netanyahu has refuted these allegations. Massive protests erupted around the nation, including in Tel Aviv, in response to the proposed reforms.