I was moved by Etan Nechin’s quietly despairing piece about why he was not prepared to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (Like Tal Mitnick, I refused to serve Israel as a soldier. It’s important to understand why, 29 December). Strictly speaking, as he says, his isolating stand on this does not make him a hero because a hero usually garners the gratitude and praise of the community around him. But to my mind, a heroic action could be a slower burn. One day those engaged in murderous violence may see the stand of men and women like Nechin for what it is: a reflection of the best humans are capable of in times of great pressure and moral complexity.
Allegra Madgwick
London
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