Dozens of Israeli teenagers signed a letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu on Saturday, in which they announced that they would refuse to serve in the Israeli army come draft time. According to the letter, the teenagers are refusing to enlist in the army due to their opposition to the military occupation of Palestinian territories, where “human rights are violated, and acts defined under international law as war-crimes are perpetuated on a daily basis.”
Support imprisoned Omar Sa’ad (Photo: Support Omar Sa’ad Facebook Page)
This is the largest group of Israeli draft refusers in the history of Israel; it is the first act of its kind in five years, but follows a long tradition of political conscientious objection. They are also protesting the way in which the army influences civilian life, deepening the sexism, militarism, violence, inequality and racism present in Israeli society. Mandy Cartner, a 16 years old signatory from Tel Aviv said: “The actions of the army distance us from finding a solution and from creating peace, justice and security. My refusal is a way of expressing my opposition to the wrongs done daily in our name and through us.” Shaked Harari, a 17 years old signatory from Bat Yam, agreed: “The army serves the people in power and not the civilians, who are only a tool. My friends and I refuse to be cannon fodder.”
The following is their full statement:
“We, citizens of the state of Israel, are designated for army service.
We appeal to the readers of this letter to set aside what has always been taken for granted and to reconsider the implications of military service.
“We, the undersigned, intend to refuse to serve in the army and the main reason for this refusal is our opposition to the military occupation of Palestinian territories. Palestinians in the occupied territories live under Israeli rule though they did not choose to do so, and have no legal recourse to influence this regime or its decision-making processes. This is neither egalitarian nor just. In these territories, human rights are violated, and acts defined under international law as war-crimes are perpetuated on a daily basis. These include assassinations (extrajudicial killings), the construction of settlements on occupied lands, administrative detentions, torture, collective punishment and the unequal allocation of resources such as electricity and water. Any form of military service reinforces this status quo, and, therefore, in accordance with our conscience, we cannot take part in a system that perpetrates the above-mentioned acts.
“The problem with the army does not begin or end with the damage it inflicts on Palestinian society. It infiltrates everyday life in Israeli society too: it shapes the educational system, our workforce opportunities, while fostering racism, violence and ethnic, national and gender-based discrimination.
“We refuse to aid the military system in promoting and perpetuating male dominance. In our opinion, the army encourages a violent and militaristic masculine ideal whereby ‘might is right’. This ideal is detrimental to everyone, especially those who do not fit it. Furthermore, we oppose the oppressive, discriminatory, and heavily gendered power structures within the army itself.
“We refuse to forsake our principles as a condition to being accepted in our society. We have thought about our refusal deeply and we stand by our decisions.
“We appeal to our peers, to those currently serving in the army and/or reserve duty, and to the Israeli public at large, to reconsider their stance on the occupation, the army, and the role of the military in civil society. We believe in the power and ability of civilians to change reality for the better by creating a more fair and just society. Our refusal expresses this belief.”
Next Saturday: a solidarity demonstration
Omar Sa’ad, 18 years old communist activist and musician from Mghar, a village in the Galilee, arrived, Sunday March 4, to the Induction Base in Tal Hashomer where he declared his refusal to serve in the Israeli Army. Omar was sentenced to 20 days of imprisonment for his refusal, in the military prison No. 6 near Atlit.
Omar is a young guy belonging to the Palestinian Arab Druze community. This community, in contrast to Arab society in large, was the target of a decision by Prime Minister Ben Gurion in 1956 that forced them to serve in the Israeli army. Following this decision, mobilization orders were sent to all Druze citizens in deployment age. That decision was faced with serious resistance from the Druze community for many reasons. The main reasons were: refusing to fight against their own people and demanding to be treated just like the rest of the Arab-Palestinian society in Israel.
After being sentenced for the fifth time, Omar issued a public statement, as follows: “I, the undersigned Omar Zaher Aldeen Sa’ad , conceded myself to the Israeli Army authorities two months ago, determined to my rejection to do the Israeli military service.
“I have been ruled 3 times in prison, and each time for 20 days, and today was sentenced for the fifth time and in retaliation decision for another 20 days.
Since one year and a half, I declared my refusal to conscription law imposed on the people of the Druze community, and I refuse to serve in the Israeli army, through a letter sent to Israel’s Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and until today I have not received any reply.
“I declare it again and loudly: I am Omar Sa’ad Zaher Aldeen I refuse to serve in the Israeli military army and I demand the respect for my faith and not to be obliged to do things that contradict with my conscience and principles.
“I want my freedom.”
Yesh Gvul, the 2014 Shministim Letter, the Young Communist League and the Druze Initiative Committee will hold next Saturday, March 15, at 12:00 near the Military Prison 6 (Atlit) another solidarity demonstration with Omar Sa’ad
Transportation from Jerusalem: (Binyanei Hauma) at 10:00, Tel Aviv (Central Railroad Station – Rakevet Merkaz) at 11:00.
Related:
Demonstration in support the young communist Omar Sa’ad who has been sentenced to prison
Outside military prison protesters demand conscientious objectors be freed
Young musician refuses to join military service to protest against occupation violence
