IDF reservist sentenced to 20 days in jail for refusing to serve in Gaza

An Israel Defense Forces reservist who has served for 270 days since the Hamas invasion but recently refused to show up for further reserve duty was jailed for 20 days on Sunday — the longest sentence for a conscientious objector in the war so far.

“I was sentenced by my battalion commander to 20 days in prison. As a combat officer who has served 270 days in reserves since October 7, I was in reserve service for many months while constantly risking my life and giving up my civilian life. I am surprised by this unprecedented and disproportionate punishment,” Cpt. (res) Ron Finer, a platoon commander in the 228th “Alon” Brigade’s 8207th Battalion, was quoted by Ynet news as saying.

Dozens of reservists and supporters accompanied Finer, 26, from Haifa, to the military prison at the Beit Lid base Sunday.

“I am shocked by the never-ending war in Gaza, the abandonment of the hostages and the relentless death of innocents,” Finer was quoted by Walla news as saying upon entering the facility. “I am morally unable to continue to serve as long as there is no change. Prison will not silence me, nor will it intimidate me — neither me nor my comrades.”

Finer is a member of Soldiers for Hostages, a group of reservists who have stated their opposition to the continued fighting in Gaza and their refusal to continue to serve. Members of the group who accompanied him told Hebrew media: “Ron was not sent to prison out of fear, but out of courage. He refuses to take part in a war that does not advance the return of the hostages, but only deepens the disaster.”

“Refusing to continue participating in this war is a highly Zionist act,” the statement continued.

סרן (במיל') רון פיינר, חבר גרעין שלי בתנועת החלוץ, הבן אדם הכי מסור ומורעל שאני מכיר, שיקריב את עצמו תמיד לכל משימה, פיינר שלפני חצי שנה חטף כדור בקסדה בזמן שפינה פצועים תחת אש בלבנון – נשלח ממש עכשיו ל-20 יום מחבוש. pic.twitter.com/Cc1QagFRSv

— Ben Hoshen (@Benhoshen) May 22, 2025

The IDF said that Finer refused to show up for reserve service “for political reasons, which have no place in the army. Therefore, he was sentenced and punished.”

“The IDF views the refusal to show up for reserve duty with severity, and each case is handled individually by commanders,” the military added.

The Alon Brigade is subordinate to the 146th Division, which is stationed in northern Israel. The brigade is not expected to be deployed to Gaza amid the ongoing offensive against Hamas.