Two Israeli adolescents are gaining attention for their choice to decline enlistment in the Israeli military, expressing disagreement with the government’s stance towards Palestinians in a nation where military service is required.
Sofia Orr, 18, is about to become the first Israeli girl imprisoned because she refuses to serve in the military. In a statement, Orr condemned Israel’s “violent policies of oppression and apartheid” against Palestinians, particularly during the ongoing conflict.
Orr’s position has not come without costs. Following her declaration, she received several murder and rape threats on social media and was dubbed a traitor by some. Even her peers labeled her as a “self-hating Jew.”
Similarly, Tal Mitnick, an 18-year-old from Tel Aviv, was recently sentenced to 30 days in prison for refusing to enlist in the Israeli Occupation Forces. Mitnick, together with members of the Mesarvot network, a group of conscientious objectors, condemned the attack on Gaza as a “revenge campaign” against the Palestinian people.
Mitnick’s refusal to conscript originates from his discontent with the ongoing conflict and Israel’s occupation of Palestine. He wished to halt the cycle of violence and work toward a peaceful resolution.
These acts of rebellion reflect a growing mood among Israeli youth who are questioning their government’s policies toward Palestinians. While mandatory military duty is strongly established in Israeli society, some individuals are questioning the current quo, choosing to speak out against what they see as unjust practices.
As Orr and Mitnick risk incarceration for their convictions, their acts serve as a reminder of the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the moral quandaries it provides to those caught in the middle.
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