Israeli teen jailed for refusing to serve in army during Hamas war
18-year-old Tal Mitnick, who opposes the war in Gaza, is serving 30 days in prison by a military court for refusing to enlist in the Israeli Defense Forces.
Would you rather go to war or go to jail?
18-year old Israeli Tal Mitnick chose jail over fighting in his country’s war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
In a video posted to X, he said he believes slaughter cannot solve slaughter
Mitnick was sentenced to 30 days in jail for his refusal to enlist and his sentence could be extended if he continues to refuse.
Military service is required for most Israelis when they turn 18. It’s part of Israel’s identity and refusing to enlist is rare. Exceptions are usually only granted on religious or medical grounds.
Mitnick is part of a small group of conscientious objectors called Mesarvot, which was founded in 2015 - but he is the first to be imprisoned since the October 7 Hamas attack.
Some of Tal Mitnick’s friends told Sky News they will follow in his footsteps and also refuse to join the military.
Last July, hundreds of young Israelis refused to join the army in protest to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial government overhaul that would prevent judges from striking down government decisions they deem “unreasonable.”
But on January 1 Israel’s Supreme Court voted to turn down the law saying it would turn the country into an undemocratic nation.
Do you think Mitnick’s refusal to join the military was justified?