Israeli Teen Faces Suspension for Distributing Anti-Conscription Leaflets

An 11th-grader at Ohel Shem High School in Ramat Gan was summoned to a disciplinary meeting and warned that she could be suspended for the next school year after she and two peers handed out flyers titled “We Hereby Refuse.” The leaflets urged students eligible for service to sign a pledge refusing to enlist in the Israeli army because of alleged war crimes in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Organisers said roughly 130 classmates signed the letter.

Middle East Eye

Principal Israel Vilozny told the student that distributing political material on school grounds violated school rules, characterising military service as “a sacred value.” The Ramat Gan municipality backed the principal, stating that while it supports open dialogue, political materials require prior approval. Municipal officials warned that unauthorised activity could lead to “propaganda in support of International Court of Justice rulings in The Hague” and warned, “Tomorrow another student could show up with two Kahanists to spread racist poison.” The student’s parents accused the school of selective enforcement and political persecution.

Middle East Eye

Israeli military data released in February showed that 84 % of eligible males from Ramat Gan enlisted, with 38 % serving in combat roles. At Ohel Shem, enlistment rates were higher: 93 % of eligible male students joined the army and 47 % served in combat units. A recent Haaretz report noted that more than one-third of students in secular schools believe Israel’s Palestinian citizens do not deserve full societal inclusion.

Middle East Eye

Human-rights group Mesarvot, which supports young Israelis refusing service, criticised the school’s approach, arguing that the education system “embeds militaristic discourse” and that “the army is not a preordained fate – no one is born a soldier.” The municipality’s framing of refusal as support for a “Jewish terrorist organisation” was described by observers as politicising dissent.

Middle East Eye

• “We, teenagers slated for conscription in the Israeli Army, hereby refuse to take part in its crimes and to serve the dictatorial government's interests,” — Leaflet text

Middle East Eye

• “The schools prepare us for the army by embedding militaristic discourse,” — Leaflet text

Middle East Eye

• “a sacred value” — Israel Vilozny, principal of Ohel Shem High School

Middle East Eye

• “Tomorrow another student could show up with two Kahanists to spread racist poison,” — Ramat Gan municipality spokesperson

Middle East Eye

• “promote propaganda in support of International Court of Justice rulings in The Hague” — Ramat Gan municipality statement

Middle East Eye