conscientious objectors

Israeli conscientious objector sentenced to 20 days in military prison

Conscientious objector Maya Brand-Feigenbaum will serve another 20 days behind bars for her refusal to serve in the Israeli army due to its policies of occupation. By +972 Magazine Staff An IDF disciplinary body sentenced 18-year-old Israeli conscientious objector Maya Brand-Feigenbaum to 20 days in military prison on Tuesday over her refusal to serve in the military.…

By +972 Magazine July 30, 2019

Roman Levin arriving at the base which he used to serve at, to announce his refusal to continue serving in the Israeli army.

Israeli conscientious objector sentenced to 30 days in prison

After 18 months of service in the Israeli army, Roman Levin told his commanders that he was no longer willing to participate in the oppression of the Palestinian people. ‘When I visited Ukraine, I encountered disrespect toward Jews. This is how my empathy for the Palestinian people developed.’ The Israeli army sentenced 19-year-old Roman Levin…

By Orly Noy February 28, 2019

Conscientious objectors Yasmin Vered-Levy (left) and Adam Rafaelov. (Oren Ziv)

Gaza march leader to conscientious objectors: ‘Turn your words into weapons’

The leader of Gaza’s Great Return March holds a rare conversation with Israelis who refuse to serve in the army because of the occupation. ‘Those who refuse to take part in the attacks on the demonstrators in Gaza — they stand on the right side of history.’ By Edo Konrad and Oren Ziv It is difficult…

By Edo Konrad January 2, 2019

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A Palestinian woman seen after after crossing the a fence that had been damaged by demonstrators during the protest near the Gaza-Israel border fence, Gaza Strip, September 28, 2018. (Mohammed Zaanoun/Activestills.org)

‘We all live under one undemocratic system, so we must struggle together’

In a letter from prison, Israeli conscientious objector Hillel Garmi responds to Ahmed Abu Artema, one of the leaders of Gaza’s Great Return March. ‘Although we will not agree on everything, I discovered a vision for justice in your writing.’ Read Abu Artema’s open letter here. By Hillel Garmi Ahmed, I am writing to you from…

By +972 Magazine October 2, 2018

Gaza protesters seen during the Great Return March demonstrations at the border with Israel, June 8, 2018. (Activestills.org)

‘Let us fight together for human rights, for a country that is democratic for all its citizens’

Ahmed Abu Artema, one of the organizers of the Great Return March in Gaza, responds to Israeli conscientious objector Hillel Garmi, who said his decision to refuse the draft is partly inspired by Artema’s acts of civil disobedience. By Ahmed Abu Artema Thank you, Hillel. You gave us hope. The morality of a position is not measured…

By +972 Magazine September 19, 2018

Israeli conscientious objector Hilel Garmi. (Yoav Eshel)

Conscientious objector to mark Jewish new year in prison

Hilel Garmi is in prison for the third time, for refusing to serve in the Israeli military. His decision was partly inspired by one of the lead organizers of the Great Return March in Gaza. By +972 Magazine Staff Conscientious objector Hilel Garmi was sentenced to 10 days in prison on Monday, after he again…

By +972 Magazine September 7, 2018

File photo of Matan Helman (Photo by Edo Ramon/Mesarvot)

‘With my head held high’: Conscientious objector freed after 110 days in prison

The Israeli army had sentenced Helman to six separate prison sentences for his refusal to be conscripted into the military and, in his words, ‘take part in the occupation and Israel’s policies of oppression vis-a-vis the Palestinians.’ Conscientious objector Matan Helman was discharged from the Israeli army on Thursday after six stints in prison adding…

By Orly Noy April 27, 2018

Israeli activists demonstrate on Purim in support of Israeli conscientious objectors, March 24, 2016. (photo: Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

Dozens of Israeli teens: ‘We refuse to enlist out of a commitment to peace’

‘Testimonies of former soldiers teach us that the reality of occupation does not allow one to make a difference from within. The power to change reality does not lay with the single soldier — but with the system as a whole.’ Sixty-three Israeli teenagers have published an open letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu on Thursday,…

By Haggai Matar December 29, 2017

Iris Gur, mother of conscientious objector Noa Gur Golan, protests in support of her daughter, who sat in prison for 98 over her refusal to serve in the IDF. (Courtesy of Mesarvot)

Israel Hayom’s new target: Conscientious objector’s mother

‘Israel Hayom’ put a high school principal in its crosshairs after she expressed support for her daughter’s refusal to serve in the IDF. This is what a witch hunt looks like. By Yael Marom Israel Hayom, the newspaper funded by Netanyahu patron Sheldon Adelson, and the country’s most circulated daily, has found yet another target.…

By +972 Magazine November 19, 2017

Ofir Averbukh (Screenshot)

Conscientious objector freed after 150 days in IDF prison

Ofir Averbukh only went public with his refusal to serve in the IDF after 130 days in jail. ‘Despite the difficulties, I am proud of my decision to stand for my principles.’ By +972 Magazine Staff After serving 150 days in military prison, the Israeli army released conscientious objector Ofir Averbukh late last week. Averbukh, 18, from…

By +972 Magazine November 6, 2017

Israeli conscientious objector Noa Gur Golan. (Courtesy of Mesarvot)

After 98 days in prison, IDF releases conscientious objector

Noa Gur Golan, who refused to serve in the army due to her opposition to the occupation, is released due to what the IDF called her ‘serious misconduct.’ Israeli conscientious objector Noa Gur Golan was released from military prison Sunday after 98 days behind bars for refusing to serve in the occupation. She was granted an exemption…

By +972 Magazine October 30, 2017

Ofir Averbukh (Screenshot)

After 5 months in jail, it’s time to talk about why I refuse to serve

Ofir Averbukh has served more than 150 days in Israeli military prison for his refusal to be conscripted into the army. In the following interview, Ofir explains why he is only going public about his refusal now, and why Israeli youth should view choosing to be conscripted, not just refusing, as a decision of significant…

By Social TV October 27, 2017

Israeli conscientious objector Noa Gur Golan. (YouTube screenshot)

Israeli army imprisons two conscientious objectors for a month

Noa Gur Golan and Hadas Tal are sentenced to 30 days in prison for refusing to serve in the army because of the occupation. By Yael Marom Two conscientious objectors were sentenced to their second stint in military prison on Thursday, after refusing to join the Israeli army over their opposition to the occupation. Noa Gur Golan…

By +972 Magazine September 1, 2017