Israeli Officer Jailed After Refusing Gaza Orders to Fight Over ‘Abandoned’ Hostages

Captain Ron Feiner, an Israeli army officer, has refused to serve in the Gaza Strip, openly rejecting Israel’s ongoing war strategy under PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Authorities have sent him to jail for defying the summons. Ron Feiner, a combat veteran of Gaza and Lebanon, claims the war now harms Israel’s security more than it protects it.

He believes the government has abandoned its moral compass by sidelining the return of hostages, endorsing war crimes, and pushing a directionless military campaign. He says he can no longer convince his soldiers to fight under such policies and has taken a stand — not just for himself, but for the future of Israel.

Officer Cites Government’s Priorities

Israeli Captain Ron Feiner told Ynet that he could not return to Gaza. He accused PM Netanyahu of placing the hostage crisis at the bottom of his priorities. Earlier this month, Netanyahu confirmed that defeating Hamas, not rescuing hostages, is the primary goal. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich echoed this, dismissing hostages as a lesser concern.

Ron Feiner called this unacceptable. He said these leaders reflect values that do not align with the founding ideals of Israel. The officer believes the state now serves far-right interests instead of justice.

Refusal Stems from Deep Moral Conflict

Israeli Officer Ron Feiner said he can no longer convince his troops to risk their lives in a war that has lost direction. He accused the government of promoting a never-ending conflict that causes needless civilian deaths. According to him, Israel’s leadership has lost its way by supporting policies like starvation tactics and mass expulsion — ideas promoted by extremists.

Ron Feiner said, “I take responsibility as a commander. I am also refusing for them.”

Not Alone in Protest

Ron Feiner is not the only one refusing service. He belongs to ‘Soldiers for the Hostages,’ a group calling for hostage recovery as a central goal. Another soldier, Daniel Yahalom, has also gone to jail for similar reasons.

The group says Ron Feiner led troops under fire and saved lives in past operations. Yet today, he sees the war as a threat, not a mission.

War Now Threatens Israel’s Security

Ron Feiner believes the war now threatens Israel more than it protects it. “The war itself is what’s harming the state’s security,” he said. He insists the government must restore moral clarity and political direction. Until then, he refuses to participate in a war that, in his words, causes the “endless death of innocent people.”

Ron Feiner ended his statement with a powerful call for resistance. He said, “Although the government is willing to throw their future away, I still care.” He wants the war to end. And he urges others to resist — peacefully, morally, and firmly — until it does.