Israeli conscientious objectors’ story highlights the delicate balance between national security and ethical responsibility in today’s increasingly divided and polarized society, especially after Israel’s devastating military campaign in Gaza.
Israeli citizens who wish to opt-out of military service by applying for a waiver citing religious grounds or proven pacifism may do so; however, this decision may have severe repercussions – particularly for those who choose not to submit their application publicly.
Zahavi-Brunner’s story
Roni Zahavi-Brunner grew up as any Israeli child should, accepting without question the obligation of military service even though her household was relatively progressive. But a trip to Italy changed that; while attending a boarding schoolhouse there she met classmates who were Palestinian and came to understand their struggles intimately – changing her opinion of Israeli forces significantly.
Israel requires all citizens to undergo mandatory military service; men serve 32 months, and 24 for women, with some exemptions granted to Palestinian citizens of Israel, religious groups, married people and those deemed medically or mentally unfit. Opting out of military service has its own social costs – many conscientious objectors report feeling like outcasts from society as a whole.
Mitnick lives in New York where he’s met other Israeli young people who refuse military enlistment; these comprise Mesarvot (Hebrew for “we refuse”). These people provide each other with support as they prepare for imprisonment or legal cases while providing each other a sense of community they may otherwise lack at home.
Some find this step of the process crucial. By detailing their plight and outlining why obeying laws they oppose would be such an existential betrayal for them, the objectors hope to open up feelings of compassion among state officials (or citizens in general) which might eventually lead them to treat conscientious objectors more mercifully.
However, in the US where most states do not recognize conscientious objection as a right, it can be more complex. Even when petitioning their government for recognition as conscientious objectors can be extremely challenging; and even if recognized later they face ostracism or even prison time for refusing service. Due to these risks many American pacifists opt instead for civil disobedience instead.
Calderon’s story
Since the 1980s, some young Israelis have refused to enlist with the IDF because of its actions in Palestine, arguing they are illegal. Dubbed “refuseniks,” these individuals have been frowned upon in a society which considers military service mandatory, and they could face prison terms if they do not sign up – though since Gaza’s war they face greater pressures to sign up than ever.
Calderon hails from Yavne in Israel and has lived in New York City for nearly 20 years, where he has thrived as an artist with multiple solo exhibitions and numerous awards for his paintings.
Shoresh’s members include those from diverse faith traditions; although he himself is not Jewish, he holds strong convictions regarding how best to live as an individual that stem from his Catholic upbringing. He’s particularly drawn to stories that illustrate people overcoming adversity – something which often gets neglected in art – as well as exploring how people can reconnect to land and its history to regain their sense of identity and belonging.
As he began writing about the conflict, he felt an overwhelming sense of involvement: he wanted to help bring Palestinian stories out into the open as widely as possible; but also understood that doing so would risk turning him into an outcast in his home country.
Though eager to be part of the solution, he could not reconcile his beliefs with being part of a military unit. According to him, IDF actions in Gaza and its occupied territories were “reprehensible, immoral, and criminal”, prompting him to decline military service.
Refusing to join the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) may technically be legal in Israel, yet doing so may lead to up to five years in jail. Israel does not officially recognize conscientious objectors, though the IDF may sometimes accommodate them by assigning civilian tasks instead. Fortunately, those choosing this path typically have strong support networks who can assist in making this challenging journey more manageable.
Mitnick’s story
Contrary to criminals who break the law for personal gain or revenge, conscientious objectors don’t break it for personal gain; their aim is rather to generate empathy among authorities and the general public in order to have mercy shown them by authorities and society at large. Their strategy rests on their belief that people tend to sympathize more easily with someone breaking the law in an ethically justifiable manner than someone doing so for financial gain or personal revenge.
Israeli governments provide only very limited exemptions to draftees on grounds of conscience, leaving many objectors to choose between jail time or being shunned from society. When being shunned by family and friends can leave you feeling alienated; consequently, it is essential for Israeli conscientious objectors to form close ties among each other to form solidarities bonds of solidarity with one another.
Asaf Calderon made the difficult decision not to serve in his military and was left feeling isolated from his community. But eventually he met members of Shoresh and other conscientious objectors at a peace rally who had also avoided military service by applying for “mistimed” exemption (Hebrew for “draft dodger”). They gave Asaf support in making his decision while giving him a sense of community that he hadn’t found elsewhere.
Tal Mitnick, 18, became one of the first Israeli 18-year-olds in recent history to publicly declare himself a conscientious objector by declining military conscription at 18 and facing a potential 30-day jail sentence as punishment for his refusal.
People who oppose military service on moral grounds typically hold views ranging from anti-Zionism to religious pacifism. Some are anti-militarists; others prefer specific military assignments like work in the West Bank where civilian lives may be at stake as immorality prevents harming civilians directly. Some might simply fear their religious beliefs would conflict with military policies; most simply want to live lives with integrity.
Shoresh’s story
Israeli conscientious objectors face imprisonment and backlash in a society built around military service; yet some have found community and support through Mesarvot.
Though its Brooklyn-based organization may be small in scale, they provide both emotional and logistical support to those who refuse to serve in Israel Defense Forces. Their website describes their mission as: “Empower young people to stand up for what they believe in by providing a supportive network”. Their website also hosts a blog providing insight into ostracism associated with such refusals as well as resources for family of COs.
Mesarvot began organizing trips to Israel last year specifically tailored for conscientious objectors and their families, drawing connections between its erosion of democracy and occupation of millions of Palestinians; Mesarvot activists’ activism also helps demystify refusing military service as an option.
As war in Gaza continued, a high-profile case involving 18-year-old Israeli Tal Mitnick’s refusal to serve emerged. After Israel attacked Gaza, Tal was sentenced to 30 days of jail time but could serve up to five. Tal’s decision may have been motivated by this conflict between Israelis and Palestinians; nevertheless, some Israeli “refuseniks” like himself have long had strong motivations not to serve their duty.
Mitnick’s story received widespread coverage, while many Israeli conscientious objectors continued to be marginalized by both peers and family members, however there are new avenues through social media to share their stories – one such channel is r/Israelrefuseniks which was founded in March and has over 1,600 subscribers; its posts feature Israelis who either rejected the draft or are training to do so.
Sofia Orr, 18, who will soon be conscripted and Iddo Elam, 17, both plan on opting out next summer have made their respective decisions known online in hopes of convincing their fellow Gen Z Israelis to reconsider their beliefs. Yet both acknowledge the inherent risks in refusing the draft: Orr said there would be “huge social costs”, including being marked a traitor; she stated even her leftist family were shocked when they learned she wouldn’t join up in order to preserve their ideology.
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