In Israel, mandatory military service lasts for 32 months for males who reach the age of 18 and 24 months for females. Those who refuse to serve can face up to 200 days of imprisonment and social pressure.
Nevertheless, there are Jewish youths in Israel who refuse military service on the grounds that the Israeli army oppresses Palestinians.
One of them is 18-year-old Tal Mitnick. Speaking to an AA correspondent in Bat Yam, a southern district of Tel Aviv, Mitnick expressed the view that the Israeli army is an operational branch of Jewish exclusivism in this region.
He believes that this army relies on oppressing the Palestinian people, and he refuses to be a part of this oppression. Instead, he continues his work as a human rights activist.
Mitnick, who has just finished high school and stated that he will refuse to go to the military, explained his reason as follows:
"I believe the Israeli army is an operational branch of Jewish exclusivism in this region. (This army) is based on the oppression of the Palestinian people, and I refuse to be a part of this oppression. Instead, I continue my work as a human rights activist."
Mitnick pointed out that he is in the minority among like-minded people in Israel but mentioned that the situation is gradually changing.
Describing the attack launched by Hamas against Israel on October 7 as "horrible," the Jewish youth expressed that people turned their anger over this attack into a sense of revenge. However, Mitnick stated that he chose to turn this feeling into a desire for more security for everyone rather than revenge.
Mitnick described the first day of Israel's attack on Gaza as a "defensive war" but stated that it turned into an offensive war against the civilians in Gaza. He refuses to believe that killing the civilians in Gaza will bring security to anyone. He believes that security and peace can only be achieved by coexisting.
Regarding how his refusal to serve in the Israeli army is perceived by his surroundings, Mitnick said:
"Since I live in a liberal place like Tel Aviv, people understand my situation and respect it. One of my best friends is currently fighting in Gaza as a combatant. We both know that we want security for everyone, but we have different opinions on how to achieve it."
"I CANNOT BE PART OF IMMORALITY AND INJUSTICE"
Nineteen-year-old Ariel Davidov, who lives in a neighborhood near occupied East Jerusalem, stated that he has been in contact with human rights advocacy groups since a young age.
Davidov witnessed extreme violence by Israeli forces against Palestinians in neighborhoods of East Jerusalem such as Sheikh Jarrah, Silwan, and Isawiyya. He participated in protests against the Judaization attempts in the city.
The Israeli youth explained his reason for refusing military service as not wanting to be part of immorality and injustice:
"There has been an ongoing genocide since the beginning of Zionism. This did not start in 1948 or 1967, the years of Israel's establishment and the occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza. There was settler colonialism before that. They wanted to use this land (Palestine) and its people (Palestinians) for their own interests. But this situation cannot continue."
Davidov mentioned that he was supposed to appear in court on October 16 for refusing military service but received a call from the army stating that he was exempted due to "psychological reasons." He also stated that many of his close friends refused military service. The group he is involved with, including human rights activists, calls on everyone to refuse military service in the Israeli army, which makes up a significant part of his struggle.
Expressing the view that "since the attack by Hamas on October 7, both Israelis and Palestinians have entered a new phase of occupation and genocide," Davidov said, "The Hamas attack deeply affected me, but I don't think it emerged out of nowhere. I see the occupation and the siege of Gaza as the main reasons."
Davidov noted that many Israeli human rights activists refrain from advocating for Palestinians due to fear of the army, police, and people they describe as "fascists." He mentioned that many friends who filmed Jewish settlers attacking Palestinians in the occupied West Bank were beaten by armed settlers.
"I DON'T WANT TO SERVE N A RACST ARMY"
Another Jewish youth who refuses military service, Ella Keidar, believes that everyone has the right to live freely and well.
Keidar said, "I don't want to serve in an army that enforces occupation and implements a racist regime. This exploitation of occupation cannot continue."
