As Israel intensifies its offensive in Gaza City, a rising number of soldiers and their families are refusing to serve, despite the risk of imprisonment. While these refusals have yet to significantly disrupt military operations, they highlight growing discontent with the war and Israel’s leadership.
The resistance is particularly strong among the mothers of soldiers. One group, Save Our Souls (SOS), claims nearly 1,000 mothers are calling for an end to the war, fearing that their children will die in vain. “I couldn’t stop thinking of how to break his leg, break his arm, wound him in some way that he won’t be able to go back,” said Noorit Felsenthal-Berger, whose sons have served in Gaza, reports AP from Tel Aviv. .
Soldiers Express Growing Doubts
Soldiers are increasingly questioning the war’s purpose. Avshalom Zohar Sal, a 28-year-old medic who has served in multiple tours of Gaza, said morale is low. “I felt this was my fault,” he said, reflecting on his experience near where six hostages were killed. His skepticism deepened after returning to areas where troops had already fought, noticing that some soldiers appeared distracted and less focused.
Sal is part of Soldiers for Hostages, a group representing over 360 soldiers refusing to serve. Despite their defiance, the military continues to carry out its operations, with imprisonment as the punishment for refusal. A few soldiers have been jailed, but their resistance has yet to have a widespread impact.
The Role of Mothers and Soldiers in the Refusal Movement
SOS, a group of mothers, is playing a key role in the refusal movement. These women say they are speaking out to protect their children from further harm. Some have encouraged their sons to refuse service, while others support their decisions to serve. Yifat Gadot, whose son served in Gaza for nine months, echoed the sentiment, saying, “We the mothers will do everything we can to get you out of Gaza.”
Mothers are not alone in their concerns. Many soldiers are speaking out as well, expressing doubts about the war’s goals and the high human cost. “I don’t know what we’re fighting for anymore,” said one soldier, describing the war as politically motivated with little regard for its impact on the soldiers or the civilian population.
Public Outcry and International Criticism
The refusal to serve comes amid growing public dissatisfaction with the war. Protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict have intensified, with many accusing him of prolonging the war for political reasons. A recent poll found that two-thirds of Israelis, including 60% of Israeli Jews, support a peace deal that includes the release of all hostages, a ceasefire, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Netanyahu, however, has refused such proposals, insisting that the war will end only when all hostages are freed and Hamas is disarmed.
Internationally, Israel is facing heavy criticism for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 64,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict began. The Israeli government’s actions have drawn widespread condemnation, with calls for a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement to bring an end to the fighting.
Public Resentment and Military Service
Israel’s military has called up 60,000 reservists, one of its largest mobilizations of the war. However, the Israeli public has grown increasingly frustrated with the mandatory military service, especially since ultra-Orthodox men continue to receive exemptions from military duty. The public outcry over this exemption has fueled resentment toward the government and military leadership.
The military, while not providing exact figures on refusals, maintains that reservists are essential to Israel’s security. At least three soldiers have been imprisoned for refusing to serve, some for up to three weeks.
Internal Divisions Deepen
The resistance to military service reflects deeper divisions within Israeli society. Public protests over the judicial overhaul in 2023, which generated mass opposition, weakened Israel’s unity before the October 7 Hamas attack. Now, with soldiers refusing to serve, the country is grappling with both internal political strife and external military pressures.
Despite growing opposition, serving in the military remains a core value in Israel. “The military, and serving in it, is still sacrosanct,” said Mairav Zonszein, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group. However, as the war continues and more soldiers and their families speak out, it remains to be seen how this internal resistance will impact the future of the conflict.
With Israel’s public divided and international criticism mounting, the demand for peace and an end to the war is growing louder, but Netanyahu’s refusal to compromise means that the war will likely continue. The country now faces a growing challenge: balancing military objectives with the reality of a deeply divided society.
