ISRAEL: Conscientious objector Uriel Ferera imprisoned

On April 27th Uriel Ferera, a 19 year old conscientious objector in Israel, has been imprisoned for 20 days for refusing military service.

Send a protest email to the Israeli authorities here.

'We will not take part in occupation'

Uriel is one of the signatories to the letter 50 Israelis of draft age have sent to Prime Minister Netanyahu, stating that they will refuse to join the IDF due to the occupation of the West Bank, and the violent effect it has on Israeli society.

For more info follow their facebook page: Conscientious objectors against the occupation (Hebrew page here).

An interview with Uriel in +972 Magazine can be found here, and watch a video of Uriel speaking about his refusal here.

Ignoring international standards

Uriel Ferera claims his human right to conscientious objection, as guaranteed by Article 18 of the ICCPR. In a decision from January 2007, the United Nations Human Rights Committee recognised the right to conscientious objection as a legitimate exercise of the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, as guaranteed by Article 18 ICCPR.

Solidarity

You can send letters of support to:

Uriel Ferera Military ID 8004295, Military Prison No. 6, Military Postal Code 01860, IDF, Israel

Fax: +972-4-9540580

Since the prison authorities often block mail from reaching imprisoned objectors, we also recommend you to send them your letters of support and encouragement via e-mail to Uriel through New Profile, at messages2prison@newprofile.org.

An protest email to Israel's Minister of Defence can be sent at /node/23107

A list of Israel's embassies abroad can be found here.

War Resisters' International calls for the immediate release of conscientious objector Uriel Ferera and all other imprisoned conscientious objectors.

Hannah Brock,
War Resisters' International