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Itamar Greenberg

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Itamar Greenberg (Hebrew: איתמר גרינברג, born 2006[1]) is a Jewish Israeli anti-war activist. Greenberg received international intention for his refusal to serve in the Israel Defense Forces, declining to seek an exemption and ultimately serving 197 days in prison, one of the longest sentences for a conscientious objector.[2]

Biography

Early life and family

Greenberg was born to into a large Haredi family in Bnei Brak in 2006.[3] His father, Avi, an IDF reservist, began recruiting young people from ultra-Orthodox communities in Israel, people who historically have not served in the IDF, after the October 7 attacks.[4] His mother, Ela, voiced support for his activism and called him a moral role model.[5] During his youth, he studied at a yeshiva.[6]

Military objection and imprisonment

Like most young Israeli citizens, Greenberg was subject to the mandatory military service. On August 5, 2024, at 18, he declined to serve on conscientious grounds, saying that he did not want to take part in what he described as genocide in Palestine.[7][8] As a result, he was sentenced to prison on multiple occasions, given the opportunity to report for the draft after each release.

Over five prison sentences between August 2024 and April 2025, Greenberg served a total of 197 days at Neve Tzedek Prison, the longest sentence of any conscientious objector in twenty years.[9][10] Previously, Tair Kaminer served a total of 150 days for her refusal to serve in the IDF in 2016.[11][12] He declined to seek a medical exemption, as is common among Haredi Israelis, from military service, which would've allowed him to avoid prison and social stigma.[13] He said that by seeking a medical exemption, he would've been hiding his reasons for refusing to serve.[14] He was ultimately involuntarily granted an exemption due to "a history of poor behavior," an exemption the courts have given conscientious objectors who've continuously refused to enlist.[15][16]

Greenberg said the he did not get along with other inmates, telling The New York Times that the majority of his cellmates were IDF soldiers charged with crimes who, despite their history with the IDF, collectively threatened him for his anti-war activism. For his own protection, there were times when he was moved into solitary confinement.[17][18]

Post-release activities

Greenberg was arrested by police near the Azrieli Center in Tel Aviv during anti-war demonstration on 24 May 2025, on grounds that the demonstration was part of an illegal gathering. He was held overnight at the Glilot police station, during which Greenberg alleged prison staff forced him to remove his shirt, which read "No to war, yes to peace" in both Hebrew and Arabic, and wear a sweatshirt one of the guards had drawn the Flag of Israel, along with writing the Hebrew phrase am yisrael chai, on with a marker. He also alleged they took pictures of him in the sweater and threatened to carve a Star of David into his face if he were arrested again. A magistrate court judge declined the police department's request to hold Greenberg for longer and banned him from protests for 30 days.[19][20][21][22]

See also

References

  1. ^ Kottasová, Ivana (12 October 2024). "Israel's last war against Hezbollah ended in stalemate. Fierce border clashes suggest a win won't be easy". CNN. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  2. ^ Cavanagh, Niamh. "IDF jailed him for refusing Gaza service. He says it is worth it". The New Arab. Archived from the original on 15 March 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  3. ^ "Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  4. ^ The Guardian (11 March 2025). The imprisoned Israelis refusing military service in Gaza. Retrieved 10 July 2025 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ Ponomarev, Sergey; Nicas, Jack; Sella, Adam (16 March 2025). "Israel's Newest Army Recruits: the Ultra-Orthodox". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  6. ^ Ponomarev, Sergey; Nicas, Jack; Sella, Adam (16 March 2025). "Israel's Newest Army Recruits: the Ultra-Orthodox". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  7. ^ "Israel's conscientious objectors are growing in number – but still exceedingly rare". Tortoise Media. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  8. ^ La-Croix.com (18 August 2024). "Israël : Itamar Greenberg, jeune Israélien révolté au service de la paix". La Croix (in French). Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  9. ^ Saifi, Kara Fox, Zeena (24 March 2025). "'I would prefer this over killing children:' Why some Israeli teens are choosing jail over the army". CNN. Retrieved 10 July 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Mesarvot (4 March 2025). "Israeli conscientious objector Itamar Greenberg exempted from military service". Pressenza. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  11. ^ Konrad, Edo. "Israel: IDF releases longest-serving female conscientious objector". en.connection-ev.org. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  12. ^ Staff, ToI. "Israel's longest jailed female military objector to be freed". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  13. ^ "Shomrim - An Industry of Fake Mental Health Exemptions from Army Service is Flourishing in Ultra-Orthodox Israel". www.shomrim.news. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  14. ^ The Guardian (11 March 2025). The imprisoned Israelis refusing military service in Gaza. Retrieved 10 July 2025 – via YouTube.
  15. ^ Mesarvot (4 March 2025). "Israeli conscientious objector Itamar Greenberg exempted from military service". Pressenza. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  16. ^ Konrad, Edo (14 July 2016). "IDF releases longest-serving female conscientious objector". +972 Magazine. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  17. ^ Ponomarev, Sergey; Nicas, Jack; Sella, Adam (16 March 2025). "Israel's Newest Army Recruits: the Ultra-Orthodox". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  18. ^ Saifi, Kara Fox, Zeena (24 March 2025). "'I would prefer this over killing children:' Why some Israeli teens are choosing jail over the army". CNN. Retrieved 10 July 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ Staff, ToI. "Anti-war protester says prison guards threatened to tattoo Star of David on his face". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  20. ^ "Prison Guards Intimidate, Threaten Detained Young Communist Anti-Gaza War Protester | Communist Party of Israel". Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  21. ^ Adler, Jonathan (2 June 2025). "'Next time, we'll tattoo a Star of David on your face'". +972 Magazine. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  22. ^ תמרי, לירן (28 May 2025). "המסר בכתב על חולצת פעיל השמאל העצור - והצעד נגד הסוהר: "הרגשתי שזה אישי"". Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 10 July 2025.
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