- Please distribute widely -
Recruitment and Refusal
In the face of a militaristic society which glorifies military service and idolizes conscription, each year tens of thousands of young men and women choose not to take part in the Israeli army. In fact, only about half of the eligible citizens enlist, and many more leave during their service. There are many reasons for this wide ranging phenomenon - economical, political, ideological, religious and medical reasons as well as a refusal to join an oppressive, chauvinistic and violent program. Military service is a burden on many (and an asset for a few) and refusal and avoidance of military service is a complicated issue, not as cut and dry as the media would portray it.
This section of the site features a discussion of the question of the obligation to serve and the notions at it’s core. We will also feature young women and men who have chosen not to serve.
And by the way, The counseling network for refusers and avoiders provides information and support for those who’ve decided not to enlist or leave the army. Feel free to get in touch!
This section of the site features a discussion of the question of the obligation to serve and the notions at it’s core. We will also feature young women and men who have chosen not to serve.
And by the way, The counseling network for refusers and avoiders provides information and support for those who’ve decided not to enlist or leave the army. Feel free to get in touch!
(15/10/14)
- Please distribute widely -
(20/6/14)
Prison warden !
I am a free and you are in captivity…
(9/3/14)
Yesterday morning, dozens of young Israelis sent Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, a letter in which they declared their refusal to serve in the Israeli military[*].
(9/3/14)
Dozens of teens sign letter to Netanyahu declaring their intention to refuse to enlist to the IDF for moral reasons.
(15/12/13)
Seif Abu Seif , 18 years old from Shfar'am, was sentenced to 15 days in military prison #6 for conscientious objection (this is his first term). his refusal to join the Israeli Army is ideological as well as religious. on Monday 9/12 he was sent to isolation for his refusal to cut his hair as military protocols demand. His refusal is religious and the military is unwilling to consider it and exempt him from his duty, as they often exempt Jewish orthodox detainees from cutting their hair on religious grounds.
(15/12/13)
Dozens of activists took part in a protest on Saturday 14/12/13 in front of military prison no. 6 (near Atlit), showing their solidarity with Druze draft resisters currently imprisoned, and against the compulsory service imposed on young Druze since 1956.
(1/12/13)
Omar Sa'ad, 18, from al mughar village, is going to be refusing his draft on 4/12/13 and may face prison time. A demo outside the recruting base will be held by New profile activists and other activists.
Omar wrote last year about his refusal to serve:
To the Israeli Prime Minister,
To the “Defense Minister”,
Subject: refusal to appear for compulsory military recruitment.
(25/4/13)
Together, we in No to Compulsory Military Service (Egypt) and New Profile (Israel) confirm our support of peace and of conscientious objectors in both countries, re-affirming the human right to freedom of conscience, faith and self-determination. We condemn the way both our governments treat conscientious objectors: Natan Blank, Emad El Dafrawi, and Mohammed Fathy.
