ISRAEL: New refuseniks in prison again

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During December 2002, several refuseniks were again imprisoned in Israel. Due to holidays at the WRI office, we send out information on their cases only now, although it might be a bit late for a co-alert in some cases.

Haggai Matar (ISR12701) was imprisoned again after serving two prison terms. He now was sentenced to 42 days in prison No 4. He was due to be released from his last prison term on 1 December, and I assume that he was arrested again shortly after. He will have spent a total of 84 days when he will finally be released at about mid-January.

Matan Kaminer (ISR12840), a draft resister and signatory of the 'senior's letter', was sentenced to 28 days in Military prison No 4. He is probably due to be released around today.

Hillel Goral (ISR12841), draft resister and signatory of the 'senior's letter', was sentenced to 42 days in prison No 4. He originally got 28 days, but 14 more days were added to his term because he refused to wear a uniform and cut his hair. For the same reason he was sent to the isolation ward. It seems that there is an automatic procedure that sends those who refuse to wear a uniform to the isolation ward, despite the fact that the law clearly states that only those who are "dangerous and rebellious who might incite other prisoners" should be sent there. It is obvious that not wearing a uniform does not fall within these requirements. Conditions in the isolation ward are much harsher. The prisoners are badly treated in every way, they are locked up 23 hours per day inside a small chamber, under constant personal watch, often their belongings are taken from them during the day; and they are not allowed to make phone calls, except by special permission.

Noam Bahat (ISR12842), also a signatory of the 'senior's letter', was sentenced to 28 days in prison no. 4.

Adam Maor (ISR12843), also a signatory of the 'senior's letter', was also sentenced to 28 days in prison no. 4.

Uri Rotlevi (ISR12844), who refuses to serve in the Occupied Territories, was sentenced to 21 days in prison no. 6. He was due to be released on 27 December.

Ido Harrari (ISR12845), who also refuses to serve in the Occupied Territories, was sentenced to 14 days in Military Prison No. 6. He was due to be released on 22 December.

N.R. (ISR12846 - wishes to remain anonymous) was sentenced to 28 days in prison no. 6 for refusing to serve in the Occupied Territories.

Shimri Tzamaret (ISR12847), draft resister and signatory of the 'senior's letter', was sentenced to 28 days in prison no 4. He is probably due to be released around now.

War Resisters' International calls for letters of support to imprisoned conscientious objectors.

War Resisters' International calls for protest letters to the Israeli authorities, and Israeli embassies abroad.

War Resisters' International calls for the immediate release of all imprisoned conscientious objectors.

Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International
ADDRESSES
Minister of Defence,
Ministry of Defence,
37 Kaplan st.,
Tel-Aviv 61909,
Israel.
e-mail: mailto:sar@mod.gov.il or mailto:pniot@mod.gov Fax: ++972-3-696-27-57 / ++972-3-691-69-40 / ++972-3-691-79-15

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

Commander of Military Prison No 6
Military Prison No 6
Military postal number 01860,
IDF
Israel.
Fax: ++972-4-869-28-84

Addresses of Israeli embassies can be found at http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/israel1.htm

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