Israel's 'refuseniks': Meet the conscientious objectors refusing military service • FRANCE 24

In Israel, only a small minority of young people refuse to carry out their military service, which is compulsory for both men and women. These conscientious objectors, known as "refuseniks", have always been stigmatised in a country where the training is considered a rite of passage that forges national identity. But since the October 7 Hamas-led attacks and with Israel on a war footing, those who refuse to serve are accused of being traitors. FRANCE 24's Andrew Hilliar and Mélina Huet met with young Israelis who are ready to go to prison to uphold their principles.
#Israel #military #objectors

[ziarahman]

They are here, who refused to kill innocents

[judykinsman]

It’s great to hear there are still some Israelis with integrity & compassion. Thank you.

[elaineklein]

Well done. Hopefully, more young people will follow their lead and become conscientious objectors. The best way forward is peace, with equal rights and equal protections for all

[thebillioniarmindset]

When flowers arose from swamp.

Salute to your humanity and bravery brothers and sister. 💐

[hashimkhan]

these two brave kids are very brave and inspirational

[kiringo]

They calledit what?
A democracy in middleEast?
😂😂😂😅

[Ornitholestes]

Israeli government and military: "Support us, we are the sole beacon of democracy, freedom and human rights in the middle east, therefore we are always the good guys!"

also israeli government and military: Sends conscientious objectors (conscientious objection is a human right) to prison.

[HypatiaMuse]

I thought it was difficult being a left-winger in one of the most conservative states, but its nothing compared to what people in Israel who question & critique their government and military go through. I have tremendous respect for the people refusing to take part in the IOF, they are risking so much and show true bravery.

Its sad that such a majority of Israeli society are apparently so far-gone in their extremism and dehumanization of others that even expressing sympathy for children being bombed, displaced and denied basic aid is enough to get you suspended or fired from your job, socially ostracized, even criminally charged.

[jonlee]

Good humans will not hurt other .. Because They are truly holy and religious

[ruthknipe]

Thank you for your humanity and your courage to speak up

[audreyheart]

Jesus responded, “What appears humanly impossible is more than possible with God. For God can do what man cannot.”  -Luke 18:27

[jcpt]

Thank you for doing the right thing! You stuck to your principles and refused to be complicit in the opression and muder of inocentes!

[nathbaklawa]

Bravo vous avez raison de refuser de faire partie de l'armée d'occupation

[sarahhaaniaxoxo]

These people are the bravest of the brave, the best of the best. I stand in solidarity with them as a pro-Palestine Atheist 💓

[fradiavolo]

Why does the headline refer to them as "refuseniks"??🤦🏿‍♂️

[luisecawthorne]

Ironically, the term “refusenik” comes from Jews in Cold War Soviet Union times who refused to accept Russian authority. Now both countries need conscripts for their military. 😂

[OneDigitalSoul]

These young Israelis give me hope for the future of Isreal.

That’s not how a democracy works. A country shouldn’t oblige its citizens to do military service. That’s not how democracy works. But wow, she’s first of all a good Jew refusing to become violent and harassing others. These are kids after all, they should be free to do what they want without any consequences

[adamredwine]

As I didn’t do military service my opinion should be taken with salt but I do think it adds a level of social cohesion that does more good than harm. Social contract theory seems to me broadly correct and if you want to have the benefits of Israeli citizenship, that should not be entirely cost free.

[thiphan]

Shani Louk was a peace activist and refused to do service in the IDF.
We could see how Hamas treated her in the videos of Hamas last year.