Israeli conscientious objector Tal Mitnick granted army exemption

The first conscientious objector to be jailed in Israel since 7 October, Tal Mitnick, was granted an exemption from serving in the Israeli army on Wednesday.

According to Haaretz, he was released from military jail after serving six consecutive sentences, totaling over six months of imprisonment.

Noa Levy, a lawyer and former conscientious objector who represents Mitnick, informed Haaretz that the army did not immediately disclose the reasons for delaying Mitnick’s release or the official grounds for his exemption.

She was informed that a justification would be provided within a month. Mitnick had presented his case for exemption before multiple military committees during his imprisonment, all of which ruled against him.

The decision on Wednesday followed a referral for psychological evaluation. Levy noted that it is unprecedented for the army to grant an exemption without explaining the rationale. “The day after he met with a military mental health officer, he was told he was exempted,” Levy said. “Of course, he’s not in his best mood after a half-year in prison.”

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In a press release issued by Mesarvot, a grassroots network that brings together individuals and groups who refuse to enlist in the army in protest of the Occupation, Mitnick stated, “I’m relieved to be exempted after such a long time. Luckily, I had an opportunity to play a part in the struggle against the war and the Occupation.”

He added, “There are growing voices in our society that realise that only peace can guarantee security, and that the only way to get out of the cycle and bring about a different future for both peoples is a ceasefire and a hostage deal,” he continued.

The evening before he received his initial 30-day prison sentence, Mitnick shared with Haaretz, “I know I’ll get through it. And I know I’m doing the right thing.”

Moreover, at the entrance to the induction office close to Tel Aviv in December, he addressed a group of supporters, stating he was “refusing to take part in the war in Gaza” because “I believe that slaughter does not solve slaughter. Violence does not solve violence.”

It comes after another conscientious objector, Israeli citizen Sofia Orr, 18, has publicly refused to comply with Israel’s mandatory military service requirement as a form of protest against the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza.

She was imprisoned in February and released 85 days later, reported Haaretz. However, unlike Mitnick, Orr was acknowledged by a military committee as a conscientious objector upon her release.