Mesarvot

Ultra-Orthodox men being sprayed with a police water cannon during a protest against the imprisonment of yeshiva students who failed to comply with army draft orders, in Jerusalem, June 1, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

The Haredi draft revolt threatening to bring Israel to a standstill

As the government seeks to enforce military service for all, ultra-Orthodox refusal is revealing cracks in the country’s militaristic consensus.

By Eli Bitan June 23, 2026

Tal Mitnick. (Oren Ziv)

‘I refuse to take part in a revenge war’: Israel jails teen for opposing army draft

Tal Mitnick is the first Israeli conscientious objector to be imprisoned since Oct. 7. He explains why the current war has only reaffirmed his convictions.

By Oren Ziv December 28, 2023

Young protesters burn their draft orders for the Israeli army during a protest against the government in Tel Aviv, April 1, 2023. (Oren Ziv)

These Israeli youth are burning their draft orders — and no longer feeling alone

Left-wing high schoolers describe how the anti-government protests have provided a window for the mainstreaming of views long deemed illegitimate.

By Oren Ziv May 24, 2023

Latest

Left to right: Evyatar Moshe Rubin, Einat Gerlitz, Nave Shabtay Levin, and Shahar Schwartz, conscientious objectors refusing to enlist in the Israeli army, August 2022. (Oren Ziv)

‘Refusing is the minimum’: Why these Israeli teens are objecting to army service

Ahead of imprisonment, four conscientious objectors share their reasons for refusing conscription and their hopes of inspiring opposition to apartheid.

By Oren Ziv September 2, 2022

Israeli conscientious objector Hallel Rabin, Kibbutz Harduf, Israel. (Oren Ziv)

‘Refusing to serve in the army is my small act of making change’

Hillel Rabin spent 56 days in military prison for refusing to serve in the IDF. Now she opens up about her time behind bars, conversations with her fellow inmates, and talking to young Israelis about the occupation.

By Oren Ziv November 27, 2020

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

Israeli conscientious objector Adam Rafaelov. (Mesarvot)

Israeli conscientious objector sent to prison for seventh time

Adam Rafaelov will have served a total of 87 days in prison for refusing to join the IDF over its ‘continual, violent, and oppressive rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.’ By +972 Magazine Staff An IDF disciplinary body sentenced Israeli conscientious objector Adam Rafaelov to 10 days in military prison last Friday for his…

By +972 Magazine December 9, 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

Mattan Helman was supposed to serve in the Nahal Brigrade in the occupied territories. Instead, he will refuse to enlist as a conscientious objector, a decision that will land him in jail.

My great-grandfather saved Jews during the Holocaust. Now I’m in jail for refusing to enlist in the IDF

Helman says his family’s history of resistance to oppression inspired his decision to refuse to enlist in the Israeli army. By Matan Helman Two Israeli draft refusers were sent to jail last Tuesday. Ayelet Brachfeld, 18, from Tel Aviv, and Matan Helman, 20, from Kibbutz HaOgen. Helman, who has already served 90 days in military prison,…

By +972 Magazine April 13, 2018

MK Aida Touma-Suleiman and draft refuser Saar Yahalom at the protest outside the induction base on Sunday. (Courtesy of Mesarvot)

Draft refusers prepare for jail: ‘We are part of a movement for change’

Saar Yahalom and Matan Helman will serve time in prison for refusing to enlist in the army because of the occupation. Dozens of supporters joined two Israeli conscientious objectors as they heaed to the IDF induction base Sunday to declare their refusal to join the Israeli army. Saar Yahalom, 18, from Be’erotayim, and Matan Helman,…

By Yali Marom February 11, 2018

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 Yali (Yael) Marom Israel Hayom, the newspaper funded by Netanyahu patron Sheldon Adelson, and the country’s most circulated daily, has found yet another…

By Yali Marom 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