Support Israeli conscientious objectors

While women CO Laura Milo (picture left) went to prison on 23 August for her second prison term (see co-alert from 31 August 2004), Daniel Tsal was finally released from the army after 112 days in prison. In an open letter to all supporters he writes:

"I have just been released from the IDF after 112 days in military jail.

Jonathan Ben-Artzi's struggle with them military is still not over. In April 2004, the pacifist was sentenced to two month in prison, after having been exempted from military service. Jonathan Ben-Artzi appealed against the sentence, and is presently not in prison.

Jonathan Ben-Artzi, a pacifist conscientious objector, told the IDF from early on that he does not have any intention to enlist. What followed was a long prelude to the later court-martial, consisting of several hearings in front of the Conscience committee, and repeated imprisonment.

After performing military service (for three years), Israeli men usually have to do reserve duties of 30 days once per year, according to the law up to the age of 50. The group "Courage to Refuse", which now has more than 600 members, calls for the refusal to any service in the Occupied Territories. In this case, objectors are often sentenced to two to four weeks in military prison.

Dror Etzion joined Courage to Refuse in 2003. So far, he did not spend time in prison.

On 4 January, 2004 Five conscripted Conscientious Objectors were sentenced to an additional year in prison on top of the year they have been held for refusing to serve in the IDF. The sentence is, in effect, an unlimited one as the prosecution intends to jail them till they agree to serve. That's the price they will pay for refusing to be part of the brutal occupation.

The 5 COs are being punished because of their convictions - the severity of the punishment reflects the Israeli government's fear of those convictions.

On 4 January 2004, the "trial of the five" came to an end.

"I do not believe in brutality and use of force. I feel the Military and the Politicians have brought this war upon our heads. I will not enter the territories occupied in 1967. I don't believe in the expansion of Israel.

Also, I believe it is inappropriate to assign us, teacher-soldiers who have barely had 2 our briefings on the matter, to instruct children on how to defend themselves from artillery and gun fire. They should send experts to do that.

The Israeli refusenik organisation Yesh Gvul has a programme called "adopt a refusenik", aimed at generating support for Israeli refusenik and conscientious objectors. As part of WRI's campaign to support conscientious objectors in Israel, WRI also promote Yesh Gvul's "adopt a refusenik" programme.

Yesh Gvul: Adopting a refusenik

We in Yesh Gvul have found over the years that an effective way of supporting jailed refuseniks, is by having them adopted by support groups from outside of Israel.

Focus on Israeli refuseniks and nonviolent resistance against the Israeli occupation and in favour of coexistence and cooperation

Resources and links on Israel and Palestine | Seminar/action details | History of International Conscientious Objectors' Day | Right to Refuse to Kill project

Peretz Kidron

Israel is the only country with conscription for women. Shani Werner, a woman activist with the Shministim and with New Profile, takes a look at women's draft resistance.

Shani Werner

Israel is the only country in the world that practises conscription for women. It is thus also the only country in the world where women's draft resistance exists.

Support to Israeli conscientious objectors is needed War Resisters' International Executive, 23 February 2003

The Executive Committee of War Resisters' International, the 81-year-old international network of pacifist organisations with 90 affiliates in 45 countries, expressed its grave concern about the situation of conscientious objectors to military service in Israel during its Executive meeting in London this weekend.

Yesh Gvul have found over the years that an effective way of supporting jailed refuseniks, is by having them adopted by support groups from outside of Israel.