In a groundbreaking case, 18-year-old Sofia Or is likely the first Israeli female to be imprisoned for refusing military service due to her political beliefs.
Sofia previously stated, “On February 25th, my draft date, I will refuse to enlist and will be sent to military prison for it. I refuse to partake in the oppressive and violent apartheid policies imposed by Israel on the Palestinian people, especially now with the ongoing war.”
Following her public stance, Sofia faced death threats, rape threats, and was accused of treason on social media platforms, with friends labeling her as a self-hating Jew.
The Times, a British newspaper, quoted Sofia saying, “Terrible things are happening in Israel, but terrible things are also happening in Gaza, and I feel sorry for everyone involved.”
Tal Mitnick, an 18-year-old from Tel Aviv, was previously sentenced to 30 days in prison for refusing to join the military, condemning the aggression towards Gaza as a “vengeful campaign… not only against Hamas but against the Palestinian people.”
Mitnick entered the Tel Hashomer recruitment center with other members of Mesartov, a group of young individuals opposing military service, to declare his refusal to serve, citing his disapproval of the war on Gaza and the illegitimate occupation of Palestine.
In his refusal letter, he stated his unwillingness to contribute to “the continuation of oppression and the ongoing cycle of bloodshed, but rather to directly work towards a solution.”
A segment of Jewish youth is refusing military service in the Israeli Defense Forces amidst the aggression towards Gaza, opposing the occupation of Palestinian territories, the bombing of Gaza, and the killing of civilians.
