Israeli Teenagers Imprisoned for Refusing to Serve in IDF Appeal to President Biden to Stop Israel’s War on Gaza
Introduction:
Israeli teenagers Tal Mitnick and Sofia Orr, who are currently serving prison sentences for refusing to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), have written a letter to President Joe Biden. In the letter, they implore him to use his power to put an end to Israel’s war on Gaza, including by placing conditions on military aid. The teens argue that American support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s destructive policies has led to the normalization of violence and the devaluation of human lives. They believe that Biden has the ability to stop the war, unlike their own leaders who have political motives for prolonging it.
Israeli Refuseniks and Their Opposition:
Mitnick and Orr are part of a growing network of Israeli refuseniks called Mesarvot. This network consists of teenagers and former dissenters who support each other in their refusal to serve in the Israeli military. Another member of the network, Ben Arad, was recently sentenced to 50 days in prison for his refusal to enlist. Arad opposes the senseless killing, intentional starvation, and sacrifice of soldiers and civilians for a war that cannot achieve its objectives. The refuseniks’ opposition is not unique, as many Israelis have taken to the streets to protest the war and Netanyahu’s government. However, these protesters have faced arrests and beatings by Israeli police, highlighting the consequences of dissent in the country.
Biden’s Response and the Refuseniks’ Call for Ceasefire:
In an interview, President Biden acknowledged that Israel has used U.S. bombs to kill civilians and stated that he would not supply Israel with arms if it moves towards a major invasion of Rafah. However, he did not specify what he considers a major invasion. While this announcement is seen as a positive development by the refuseniks, they believe it is not enough. They call for a ceasefire and urge Biden to use the leverage of arms transfer to force Israel to downscale its offensive and reach a ceasefire deal with Hamas. They argue that this is in the best interest of both Israeli society and the Palestinians in Gaza.
The Need for Real Pressure and Conditioning of Aid:
Mitnick and Orr emphasize that mere words and condemnation will not bring about change. They argue that the only way to make Netanyahu stop is to apply real pressure, which includes stopping the arming of Israel’s war. They point out that there is no military solution to the conflict and that negotiation has been the key to freeing hostages in the past. They appeal to Biden to not only stop the violence but also to save Israeli society by turning a cold shoulder to the Israeli government’s fanaticism. They believe that conditioning aid and withholding diplomatic backing would be a significant step towards achieving this goal.
Conclusion:
Tal Mitnick and Sofia Orr, two Israeli teenagers imprisoned for refusing to serve in the IDF, have written a letter to President Biden, urging him to use his power to stop Israel’s war on Gaza. They argue that American support has prolonged the war and that Biden has the ability to make it stop. The refuseniks are part of a growing network of Israeli dissenters who oppose the war and face consequences for their opposition. While Biden’s recent announcement regarding arms supply is seen as a positive development, the refuseniks call for a ceasefire and the conditioning of aid to put real pressure on Israel. They believe that this is in the best interest of both Israeli society and the Palestinians in Gaza.
