In a rare and poignant protest against the United States' military support for Israel, two active-duty US Air Force members are seeking to become conscientious objectors. Senior Airman Larry Hebert and Airman Juan Bettancourt are attempting to leave military service, driven by their ethical opposition to Washington’s role in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of over 37,400 Palestinians, many of whom are children and women.
Hebert and Bettancourt’s decision is not just an act of personal defiance but also a call to their fellow service members to recognize the option of conscientious objection. This designation allows individuals to refuse military service on moral or ethical grounds. The process, while legally recognized, is seldom pursued and even less frequently granted. Between 2021 and the present, the US Air Force has processed 36 applications for conscientious objector status, of which only 29 were approved.
Hebert’s Turning Point
Larry Hebert, who has been vocal about his stance, began his journey towards conscientious objection after a harrowing incident involving the death of a six-year-old Palestinian girl named Hind Rajab. In February, Rajab’s family car was struck by Israeli tanks, leaving her stranded with her deceased relatives. Her tragic and desperate pleas for rescue, which Hebert learned about while working on a US operation to provide weapons to Israel, resonated deeply with him. The similarity between Rajab and his own daughter made the incident profoundly personal and led Hebert to question the morality of his role in the conflict.
Hebert took his protest public in April, when he demonstrated outside the White House, calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an end to US arms shipments to Israel. His actions are part of a long tradition of US military personnel objecting to wars on moral grounds, with historical precedents in the Vietnam and Iraq wars.
Bettancourt’s Stand
Similarly, Airman Juan Bettancourt's objections grew as he watched news reports from Gaza. Bettancourt has described the conflict as the "slaughter of thousands of innocent civilians," a sight that deeply troubled him. He expressed his dismay over the world's passive observation of the atrocities, facilitated by modern technology. Bettancourt’s protest is also influenced by the self-immolation of fellow US airman Aaron Bushnell, who set himself on fire in February to protest against the Gaza war.
Broader Implications
By publicly objecting, Hebert and Bettancourt aim to influence the US’s foreign policy and military practices. They hope their actions will encourage other service members to consider conscientious objection and prompt a broader discussion on the ethical implications of US military support for Israel. The US has supplied Israel with thousands of large bombs and other munitions, including 2,000-pound bombs, which have been used in attacks resulting in significant civilian casualties. These weapons have been deployed in strikes on various targets, including United Nations-run schools serving as shelters for displaced Palestinians.
Their protests come amid rising tensions and criticism. Recently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly criticized the US for allegedly withholding weapons and ammunition from Israel. This tension highlights the complex and often contentious nature of international military support and its ethical ramifications.
A Call to Conscience
The actions of Hebert and Bettancourt serve as a stark reminder of the personal and ethical dilemmas faced by military personnel. Their courageous stand not only challenges US military policy but also brings attention to the human cost of the conflict in Gaza. As they navigate the bureaucratic and often challenging path to conscientious objector status, they hope to pave the way for others in the military to follow their conscience, fostering a more informed and ethical discourse on war and military service.
