Latest Update on Israeli Refusers

by David Raban (June 5th, 2003)

Rotem Ronen: In a surprising development on 27/5 Rotem reached an agreement with the military authorities. According to the agreement Rotem has enlisted into the army, wears a military uniform while on duty and is distributing gas masks to civilians. In exchange the military has agreed that Rotem will not have to go through basic training, will not carry a weapon at any point in time and will not take the military oath. Contrary to some reports, Rotem does not define himself as a pacifist and his refusal to enlist was based on his objection to the atrocities of the occupation.

Refusers in the Court Martial: Conscientious objectors Adam Maor, Haggai Mattar, Matan Kaminer, Noam Bahat, Shimri Tzameret and Yoni Ben-Artzi are held in open detention for the duration of their court martials.

Jonathan Ben-Artzi: on May 28th another hearing was held, focusing on Yoni’s testimony regarding his conscientious objection. At the start of the hearing the prosecuter tried to prevent Yoni from testifying, claiming that yoni’s pacifism is irrelevent to the case and only his disobedience is relevant. The court rejected the plea and Yoni testified for two hours on his convictions and his struggles with the military authorities. Quote: “I’m not looking to make things easy for myself. Several high ranking officers have met with me and offered me a conveniant form of service, without basic training, without wearing a uniform or carrying a gun – under the condition that I formally enlist. I turned down the offer because I’m not willing to be a part of any organization which uses deadly force and violence, not in any role or under any condition. I am willing to serve for three years [the length of a standard military service for men] in a hospital or any other role which benefits society – but only in a purely civilian environment which has nothing to do with the army.”

In his cross-examination the prosecuter claimed that Yoni is really only refusing to serve in an occupying army and not to refusing to any military service. Yoni responded by saying that his objection to the occupation is a part of his total objection to military service, just like “an aurthodox Jew doesn’t drive on the Sabbath, but the holiness of the sabbath is only a part of his conviction, not all of it”.

This hearing also featured the testimony of Dvora Hassid, the commander of the army’s induction base, Bakum, who is mostly responsible for the sentencing of those who refuse to enlist, such as Yoni. In a rather embarrasing testimony Dvora tried to avoid any explanation of the army’s policy regarding the handeling of conscietious objectors. During her testimony, one filled with answers such as “I don’t remember” and “I wouldn’t know”, Dvora insisted that her only duty in this matter is to make sure by any means available that the youngsters enlist and it’s not her duty to comprehend their conscience.

The next hearing is sheduled for later this month at which time Adv. Sfarad, Yoni’s attorney, plans to call the head of the men’s “conscience committee” to the stand.

Currently in prison: B.S.: a Jehovah witness, has been in prison for the last six month, he is at the moment at the isolation ward of prison no. 4. this is his seventh term in prison. B. Jehovah witnesses are usually exempt form army duty in Israel, if they can provide proof of their belonging to the community. B. claims that he had shown the army all the relevant papers about him being a Jehovah witness, but still he was not exempt. He is asking to see the so called "conscientious committee", but his requests have been rejected.

Konstantin Soskin: Konstantin, a pacifist, is in the isolation ward of prison no.4 and is expected to be released on 20.6. this is his fourth term of imprisonment. His address:
Konstantin Soskin,
i.d. AGAF HABIDUD,
prison 4,
military post 02507,
IDF

Salaam Salame: Salaam, a Druze CO, has been going in and out of prison for the past 2 years. All his attempts to get exempted were unsuccessful. He has been a deserter for the past six months, and on 4/5 was was captured and taken to Jalame detention center, where he awaits his trial. This can take a few months.

Rabia Jihad Sa'ad: Rabia is imprisoned in prison no. 4, where he still awaits his court martial on charges off desertion. His address:
Rabia Jihad Sa'ad,
i.d. 7232805,
prison 4,
military post 02507,
IDF.

Hillel Goral: Hillel is in prison no. 4, where he awaits his trial on a charge of desertion. Hillel has so far served three terms in prison, which amount to about 80 days. His address:
Hillel Goral,
i.d. 7269230,
prison 4,
military post 02507,
IDF.

Dani Filc: Dr. Dani Filc, a member of “Physicians for Human Rights”, who is married and has 4 children, has been sentenced on 28/5 to 14 days in prison for his refusal to serve reserve military duty in the Occupied Territories. Dr. Filc writes: “One cannot argue in favor of the right to Jewish self-determination while denying the same right to the Palestinian people. The occupation negates this right and therefore it is wrong, and it is wrong to attempt to forcefully preserve it. The same principles which brought me to the decision to move to Israel bring me to the decision to refuse to serve in the territories."

In Between Prison Terms: Shahar Ben-Har: After 3 prison terms Shahar has returned to his base and is now awaiting an insuitability committee. Shmuel Baron: Shmuel is currently at home after 148 days in prison.

Arseiny Hotorinsky: Arseiny's first prison term of 35 days has ended, he is currently at home waiting to be summoned to the "conscience committee".

Yoel Perlman: Yoel is out of prison and is waiting to be summoned to the “conscience committee”

Ylia Gintzburg: Ylia has just finished these days a second prison term of 14 days after already serving 28 days in prison. He is currently at home , until he will report again.

Amit Ris: Amit has just been released form prison, he is due to report back, at the induction center at june 8th.

What can we do? First of all, please circulate this message and the information contained in it as widely as possible, not only through e-mail, but also on websites, conventional media, by word of mouth, etc. Other recommendations for action can be found here.