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David Zonsheine

David Zonsheine is an Israeli software engineer and social activist known for refusing to serve in the West Bank and Gaza and for leading the Courage to Refuse movement.

born 1973Refusing service in the territoriesCo-leading Courage to RefuseChairing the B'Tselem board

Born: 13 May 1973
Occupation: software engineer, social activist
Education: Hebrew University of Jerusalem

David Zonsheine was born in 1973

David Zonsheine was born in Tel Aviv on May 13, 1973, the eldest of 3 children. His mother Varda was born in the country, and his father Yitzhak Isaac was born in Poland. He grew up in Ramat HaSharon.

He served 4 years in the IDF as a fighter and officer in the Maglan unit and fought in southern Lebanon. He later earned a bachelor's degree in physics and computer science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

In 2002, after reserve duty in Gaza, he co-initiated a letter of reservists, which led to the founding of Courage to Refuse. He was sentenced to military detention for refusing reserve duty in Beit El. The High Court ruled that full conscientious refusal is legitimate but selective refusal is not, and he returned to prison to finish his sentence.

He co-founded a software company with a Palestinian partner, with teams in Tel Aviv and Ramallah, and was marketing manager of Galil Software from 2015 to 2026. He joined the board of B'Tselem in 2009 and chaired it from 2012 to 2022. He also wrote book reviews for Haaretz and lives in Tel Aviv with his partner and their 2 daughters.

David Zonsheine's life in 6 milestones

1973
Born in Tel Aviv.
1999
Began questioning his service after reserve duty in the West Bank.
2002
Co-initiated the reservists' letter that led to Courage to Refuse.
2009
Joined the board of B'Tselem.
2012
Became chair of the B'Tselem board.
2015
Became marketing manager of Galil Software.

David Zonsheine served in Maglan

He served 4 years in the Maglan unit as a team commander and deputy company commander, fought in southern Lebanon including Operation Grapes of Wrath, and was discharged as a lieutenant.

Maglan