ISRAEL: Conscientious objector Tamar Katz mistreated in prison

War Resisters' International has learned that Israeli conscientious objector Tamar Katz is being mistreated in prison. As reported in our co-alert, 2 December 2008, Tamar Katz, she was sentenced to 21 days in prison on 1 December 2008 - her third prison term. This time, she has decided to refuse to wear a uniform in prison.

War Resisters' International now received information from its Israeli affiliate New Profile that Tamar Katz is being mistreated in prison, probably in an attempt to pressure her to wear a uniform. More specifically, Tamar Katz is not allowed to make phone calls to her family, not allowed to change clothes, and has even been denied the opportunity to wash her teeth.

Because of this mistreatment, War Resisters' International calls for support to Tamar Katz more than ever. Please write messages of encouragement to her prison address:

Tamar Katz (Military ID 5396326)
Military Prison No 400
Military Postal Code 02477, IDF
Israel
Fax: +972-4-9579389

Please send a copy of your message by email to shministim@gmail.com, as other messages take much longer to arrive and might be blocked by the authorities.

War Resisters' International calls for letters of protest to the Israeli authorities, and Israeli embassies abroad. An email letter to Israels Minister of Defence Ehud Barak can be sent at /node/6173. However, in this situation faxes are more effective than emails. Please fax your protest letter to:

Commander of Military Prison No 400
Military Prison No. 400
Military Postal Code 02477, IDF
Israel
Fax: +972-4-9579389

Mr. Ehud Barak
Minister of Defence
Ministry of Defence
Hakirya
Tel-Aviv 64743
Israel
E-mail: sar@mod.gov.il or pniot@mod.gov.il
Tel.: +972-3-6975540 or +972-3-6975423
Fax: +972-3-6976711

Avichai Mandelblit
Chief Military Attorney
Military postal code 9605, IDF
Israel
Fax: +972-3-569-43-70

Please send a copy of your letter by email to support.refusers.israel@gmail.com.

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

Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International