Israel Deaner was one of the many young Jewish men living in the east end who would become COs in the First World War. He was born in Russia and was active in the Jewish Labour Bund, a socialist and workers' organisation. As such he held an "internationalist" objection, believing that war was wrong as it led to the slaughter of working people all over the world when they should be united against the ruling classes. Israel's position put him in conflict with the authorities and he was imprisoned for much of the war.