"Preferring an alternative to enlisting in the army over child murder: Israeli teenagers opting for imprisonment instead"
In the heart of Israel's military-centric culture, 18-year-old Itamar Greenberg finds himself in the uncomfortable confines of a military prison, swapping war-torn battlefields for a comfy couch in the rec room, all while wearing the only military uniform he's ever donned—an Army-issued one.
Known in Israel as "refuseniks," conscientious objectors like Greenberg shun military service, despite it being mandatory for most Jewish citizens aged 18 and up.
A Hollywood blockbuster plays in the background as Greenberg, a so-called anti-war crusader, reflects on his repeated incarcerations totaling 197 days across five stints.
His offense? A firm stance against compulsory military service that he believes symbolizes violence and oppression.
His choice to sit out military duties was a culmination of his moral awakening—an awakening fuelled by the ongoing Israeli-Gaza conflict.
When Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 20XX, the Israeli government launched a response that has led to over 50,000 Palestinian casualties in 17 months, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry—a number that climbs with each passing day.
In less than a week, over 670 people have been killed, and 1,200 injured in Gaza since Israel resumed its airstrikes and ground operations[1].
Faced with the brutal realities of the conflict, Greenberg views it as a genocide and stands resolute in his refusal to contribute to it, even if it means spending time behind bars.
Conscientious objection comes with dire consequences in Israel, making it an arduous decision for those like Greenberg who choose ostracization over military service.
In a society where the military is deeply interwoven with cultural identity, refusing to serve is akin to spurning a family tradition.
Military service begins early, with Israelis taught from elementary school that they will one day protect their peers—a message reinforced by soldier visits and explicit recruitment efforts.
At 16, future soldiers receive their first enlistment orders, reaching the point of conscription at 18.
Amidst accusations of anti-Semitism, terrorism support, and treachery, Greenberg has faced harsh criticism even from family and friends. In prison, he's experienced solitary confinement as a safety measure following threats from fellow inmates.
Despite his forlorn position as an outcast, Greenberg and fellow refuseniks are vigilant in their pursuit of change.
While their numbers may be small, they represent a growing segment of Israeli youth who refuse military service on conscientious grounds, according to Mesarvot—an organization that supports objectors.
The war's impact extends beyond the battlefield, prompting thousands of reservists, including those from more mainstream political circles, to voice their refusal to serve, protesting the government's actions.
Greenberg's anti-military stance is radical even for Israel's marginalized left, who are fighting for a ceasefire to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.
Greenberg remains hopeful that his refusenik cause will create a space for a broader dialogue questioning the pitfalls of a militarized Israel.
On Saturday, a dozen refuseniks gathered at the headquarters of the Hadash left-wing political coalition to prepare for their weekly protest in Tel Aviv.
Lior Fogel, a 19-year-old from Tel Aviv, shared Greenberg's sentiments, attributing her resistance to the army's use of violence and force, and her understanding of the role it plays in everyday violence against Palestinians that came after she received her mental health exemption.
Multiple human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have accused Israel of maintaining an apartheid system, a characterization Israel denounces as antisemitic.
As Fogel and others marched to join thousands protesting under the banner of pro-democracy and anti-war sentiments, she acknowledged that the views of the refuseniks remain on the fringe.
Yet, their determination remains unwavering as they seek to catalyze change in Israeli society.
CNN's Mick Krever contributed to this report. Information for this article was supplemented by the insights of a record-breaking conscientious objector, Ella Keidar Greenberg, who courageously refused military service as the first openly transgender refusenik in a decade, voicing her objections to the occupation and Israel's actions in Gaza, which she called a "genocide."
[1] Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/20XX/10/12/middleeast/gaza-israel-conflict-deaths-intl-hnk/index.html
[2] Retrieved from https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/20XX/08/30/two-israeli-teens-refuse-to-enlist-over-morality-of-service/
[3] Retrieved from https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/the-most-militarized-state-on-earth
[4] Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/20XX/01/israel-must-end-policy-of-forced-transfer-of-homes-and-forcible-removal-of-palestinians-amnesty-report/
[5] Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/report/20XX/12/03/israeli-policies-palestinians-gaza-unlawful-and-collective-punishment/unlawful-economic-forces
- Despite being from a society deeply interwoven with military culture, Itamar Greenberg, a vibrant 18-year-old Israeli, finds himself in the unfamiliar surroundings of a military prison, rejecting conscription that he perceives as a symbol of gross violence and oppression.
- Echoing Greenberg's sentiments, Lior Fogel, a 19-year-old from Tel Aviv, similarly objects to military service, attributing her resistance to the army's use of violence and force, and to the everyday violence against Palestinians.
- Amidst growing criticism for his anti-military stance, Greenberg's refusal to serve is not only radical for Israel, but also for Israel's marginalized left, who are fighting for a ceasefire but have not questioned the pitfalls of a militarized Israel as extensively as Greenberg has.
