IDF reservist jailed for refusing service over Gaza war and hostage policy
Captain Ron Feiner, who served 270 days since 7 October, says Israel’s war – not dissent – is harming its security
An IDF reserve officer who served nearly nine months on active duty has been sentenced to 20 days in military prison for refusing to serve, citing moral objections to the war in Gaza and the government’s failure to prioritise hostage recovery.
Captain (res.) Ron Feiner, 26, a platoon commander in the Northern Nahal Brigade’s 8207th Battalion, said he could no longer serve in good conscience. He is the highest-ranking officer to receive jail time for refusing duty since the conflict began on 7 October.
“I was sentenced by my battalion commander to 20 days in jail,” Feiner said in a public statement. “As a combat officer, I’ve served 270 days in reserve duty since 7 October, spending many months under constant life-threatening conditions and sacrificing my civilian life. I’m shocked by this unprecedented and disproportionate punishment.”
Feiner, a student of philosophy, economics and political science at the University of Haifa and a youth mentor, said he acted from the same values that led him to serve. “I love this country, but I feel my future here is slipping through my fingers,” he said.
“When the government publicly declares that the hostages are at the bottom of its priorities, when (Finance Minister) Smotrich apologises to his voters for not starving Gaza residents or committing war crimes, and when my soldiers are called up for hundreds of days of reserve duty, I can no longer convince them to report,” he added. “As a commander, I’m taking responsibility. I’m refusing on their behalf as well.”
Feiner is a member of Soldiers for the Hostages, a group of more than 300 IDF reservists who oppose the continuation of the war and have pledged not to return to service unless government policy shifts. He had previously signed two letters of refusal but continued reporting for duty. His decision to stop came, he said, after concluding that hostage recovery efforts had been deprioritised in favour of military operations.
“Though the government may be willing to throw their futures away, I still care,” he said. “I’m horrified by the never-ending war in Gaza, by the abandonment of the hostages, by the continued killing of innocent people, and by the complete lack of political vision. Morally, I can no longer continue to serve unless this changes. I must resist in every way I can to bring this war to an end.”
Feiner added: “I believe that once enough people speak out against the war like I am, it will lead to its end. What’s truly harming Israel’s security right now is the war itself, not people like me who are refusing to report. I believe the government’s current policies don’t reflect the values of the State of Israel. In the future, when we return to a government that genuinely contributes to defending the country, we’ll be able to return to serve. I’m at peace with my decision.”
Another member of the group, Daniel Yahalom, was sentenced to five days in prison for similar reasons.
Soldiers for the Hostages released a statement in support of Feiner: “Harsher punishments won’t hide the truth – that this war lacks public support. This is not how to handle the IDF’s manpower crisis. The way forward is to restore public trust and bring the 58 hostages home.”
The Israeli Arab-Jewish peace group Standing Together also condemned the sentence. In a statement, the NGO said: “Ron has been acting in recent months for ending the war and rescuing the abducted, reflecting the views of the majority of the Israeli public. His arrest is a clear attempt to silence legitimate opposition.”
They accused government ministers of pursuing “ideological goals” over the welfare of the hostages and claimed the prosecution of dissenting soldiers signals “panic” within the leadership.
In a statement to Jewish News, the IDF said: “The IDF takes refusal to serve in the reserves very seriously, and each case is examined and addressed individually by the commanders. In this case, a reserve officer refused to report for duty due to political reasons — which have no place in the military. The officer was judged and punished.”
Feiner previously commanded operations in Lebanon and led a combat rescue under fire in the border village of Ayta ash-Shab, during which six IDF soldiers were killed.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
