Refusing to fight in Israel’s “Defence” Force

JVL Introduction

Being a conscientious objector has an honourable tradition even though it can mean harsh treatment. During the first world war, for example, many who refused to fight were sent to jail for years, beaten and sentenced to hard labour.  Like those who joined the No-Conscription Fellowship of that era, some of the young Israelis refuse to do any compulsory service to prop up the state occupying and committing genocide against Palestinians, while others are willing to do peaceful service, for example in schools.

This insight into the views and experiences of some of the young people refusing to fight is fascinating, not least for highlighting the pressures within Israeli society to be a soldier, that this is seen as a rite of passage for all and avoidance can mean short but repeated periods of imprisonment as well as being able to access some aspects of life in Israel.

This article was originally published by Ha'aretz on Fri 19 Jun 2026. Read the original here.