ISRAEL: CO Ariel Levin sentenced to 28 days imprisonment

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War Resisters' International learned today that Israeli conscientious objector Ariel Levin was sentenced to 28 days of imprisonment on Sunday, following his refusal to perform military service. He is presently held in Military Prison No. 4.As this is Levin's first term of imprisonment, it is highly likely that he will be imprisoned again - probably twice - after his release, which is due on 6 September 2001.Ariel Levin, 18, issued a statement before he went to the military induction base on Sunday. The statement reads: "The coming Sunday, on 12 August 2001, I will probably be imprisoned in military prison because I refuse to be conscripted to the Israeli army, as doing so would oppose my conscience.I was born and raised in South Africa during the Apartheid regime. The repression of the blacks which I witnessed during that period, became a basis for my human and non-violent ideals today.Today, after 8 years of living in Israel and studying Israeli history I have come to realise that the Israeli army practices inhumane and violent tactics on its way to peace.Therfore I am not willing to take any part whatsoever or contribute in any way to the Israeli army or any army (I do not believe in using any sort of violence in order to achieve any goal).

Ariel Levin"

War Resisters' International calls for letters and postcards to Ariel Levin (address below), expressing support and solidarity. In addition WRI calls for sending appeal letters to the Israeli authorities, demanding his immediate release (sample letter below).

Andreas Speck, War Resisters' International

Ariel Levin's address in prison: Ariel Levin (personal number 7204992) Pluga Bet Military Prison No. 4, Military Postal Code 02507, IDF Israel

SAMPLE APPEAL LETTER

Dear Sir / Madam,

It was brought to my attention that Ariel Levin (personal military number7204992) has been imprisoned and held in Military Prison No. 4 for hisrefusal to be drafted into the Israeli army on grounds of conscience.

The imprisonment of conscientious objectors to military service clearly violates international law and basic standards of human rights. I thereforecall for the immediate and unconditional release of Ariel Levin from prison,without danger of further imprisonment.

I would also like to point out that, together with many other people aroundthe world, I will be closely monitoring Ariel Levin's case in the future.

Sincerely,...

LIST OF ADDRESSES



Commander of Military Prison No. 4,Military Prison No. 4,Military postal number 02507, IDF Israel. Fax: +972-3-957-52-76

Military Attorney General,Military postal number 9605, IDF, Israel. Fax: +972-3-569-43-70

Lt. Gen. Shaul Mofaz,IDF Chief of Staff,Ha-Qirya,Tel-Aviv, Israel. Fax: +972-3-569-55-94

Mr. Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, Minister of Defence, Ministry of Defence, 37 Kaplan st.,Tel-Aviv 61909, Israel. e-mail: sar@mod.gov.il Fax: +972-3-696-27-57 / +972-3-691-69-40 / +972-3-691-79-15

Mr. Ariel Sharon, Prime Minister, Prime Ministers' Office, Qiriat David Ben-Gurion Jerusalem, Israel. e-mail: webmaster@pmo.gov.il Fax: +972-2-566-48-38 / +972-2-651-26-31

Addresses of Israeli media:


  • Ma'ariv: 2 Karlibach st. Tel-Aviv 67132 Israel Fax: +972-3-561-06-14 e-mail: editor@maariv.co.il

  • Yedioth Aharonoth: 2 Moses st. Tel-Aviv Israel Fax: +972-3-608-25-46

  • Ha'aretz (Hebrew): 21 Schocken st. Tel-Aviv, 61001 Israel Fax: +972-3-681-00-12

  • Ha'aretz (English edition): 21 Schocken st. Tel-Aviv, 61001 Israel Fax: +972-3-512-11-56 e-mail: letters@haaretz.co.il

  • Jerusalem Post: POB 81 Jerusalem 91000 Israel Fax: +972-2-538-95-27 e-mail: news@jpost.co.il or letters@jpost.co.il

  • Jerusalem Report: Fax: +972-2-537-94-89

  • Radio (fax numbers): Kol-Israel +972-2-531-33-15 and +972-3-694-47-09 Galei Tzahal +972-3-512-67-20

  • Television (fax numbers): Channel 1 +972-2-530-15-36 Channel 2 +972-2-533-98-09