FARRAKHAN PRAISES ISRAELI CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR

Mainstream press has often attacked Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan for alleged anti-Semitism or for supposedly hating white people. Like with many Black leaders, misrepresentation is often the order of the day. But, as the minister said in this 25 February clip, ‘You better get acquainted with me,’ after he praised an 18-year-old Israeli who refused conscription into the military.

Tal Mitnick served a prison sentence starting on 26 December. After his 19 January release, Mitnick did a flurry of media interviews, saying he would return to jail for another 30 days.

He’s not the only person imprisoned for refusing conscription. Yuval Dag served 20 days in early 2023 at age 20.

Over the past year, several young Israelis have come out on social media against military service, which Israel requires for residents upon reaching the age of 18. Men must serve at least 32 months, while women serve 24 months, with few exceptions for minorities. No official statistics exist on how many people refuse military conscription.

Since 7 October, Israel has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians via bombardments and siege. Images of the violence on social media have caused many to turn against the Israeli state.

‘I think that, for 70 years, we’ve been seeing the same policy of occupation, of siege and of J*w*sh supremacy between the river and the sea, and I can’t take part in it,’ Mitnick told Sky News. ‘The war has only strengthened my opinion. I feel like we need to stop the cycle of violence.’