Growing Number of U.S. Military Officers Seek Conscientious Objector Status Amid Gaza Conflict

The Hamas attacks in Israel last year and the Israeli military's response have substantially devastated the convictions of numerous US Army personnel, as reported by The Guardian.

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A number of disillusioned members of the US military are attempting to terminate their service by applying for conscientious objector status as the conflict in Gaza enters its second year. This policy, which is redolent of the Vietnam War era, permits military personnel to resign from the armed forces on the basis of their religious or moral convictions. Among these individuals is Joy Metzler, a second lieutenant in the Air Force who initially felt compelled to serve. However, she has since reevaluated her beliefs in light of the ongoing conflict.

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After witnessing the consequences of the conflict, Metzler underwent a transformation that led her to apply for conscientious objector status. She reflected on the awakening of her awareness of the situation, stating, "I was unaware that Palestine was a place before October 7." Other service members have also expressed their dissatisfaction, albeit through restricted channels within the military. Harrison Mann, an Army officer, submitted his resignation earlier this year in protest of the United States' endorsement of Israel.

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Interest in conscientious objector status appears to be increasing, despite the low overall numbers. The Air Force has received 42 applications since 2021 and granted 36. Bill Galvin, director of the Center on Conscience and War and a Vietnam-era objector, observed a rise in inquiries, which implies that the Gaza conflict has had a substantial impact on the convictions of service members. The voices of those who wish to withdraw become increasingly prominent as the military negotiates these intricate moral quandaries.

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