By Yasmine S. Hakimian
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
TEL AVIV, Israel – On December 24, peace activists in Israel and around the world are participating in a day of action to urge Israeli authorities to release teenagers imprisoned for refusing to serve in the army for reasons of conscience. The day will include a rally and press event near the Defense Ministry.
Nearly 100 Israeli high school students have signed an open letter declaring their refusal to serve in the Israeli army and their opposition to Israeli occupation and oppression policy in the occupied territories and the territories of Israel. They have voiced their concern in taking no part to further commit human rights abuses.
There is a history of refusal to serve in Israel. Military service is mandatory for all graduating high school seniors in Israel. Resisters of enlisting face the possibility of years in prison.
Tamar Katz, Raz Bar-David Varon and Yuval Oron-Ofir are three conscientious objectors currently serving their third prison sentences. Katz (19) has been jailed for over fifty days. She is being held in isolation and deprived of family visits as punishment for refusing to wear a military uniform in prison. At least six other Israeli teenagers have been jailed in the past few months for refusing to enlist.
There is no civilian service alternative to military draft in Israel. A “conscience committee” exists within the Israeli army, however, exemption is generally only granted to those who refuse to serve for religious reasons. Orthodox Yeshiva students are exempt from military service, and Orthodox girls can apply for alternative service.
Donatella Rovera, Amnesty International’s researcher on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, explains all conscientious objectors should be given the opportunity to present the grounds of their objection to a decision-making body which is impartial and independent. According to Amnesty International, the conscience-committee is sending the wrong message to Israelis.
Amnesty International asks Israeli authorities to establish an impartial exemption committee. Amnesty seeks the immediate and unconditional release of the teenagers and other conscience of war prisoners.
For more information, please see:
AlterNet – From U.S. War Resisters, A Letter of Solidarity to Israeli Army Resisters – 18 December 2008
Amnesty International – Israeli Teenagers Jailed For Refusing to Serve in Army – 18 December 2008
Common Dreams – Israeli Youth Resist Palestinian Occupation – 17 December 2008
Electronic Intifada – We Refuse to Serve in the Israeli Occupation – 28 August 2008
