After 177 Days in Prison: Uriel Ferrera Exempted from Military Service

/ December 23, 2014

On Sunday, December 22, conscientious objector Uriel Ferrera received an exemption from military service in the Israeli armed forces. Ferrera has spent a total of 177 days in military prison, having been incarcerated 10 separate times. Yesterday, he unexpectedly got the exemption that had been waiting for him when he reported, once again, to the Tel Hashomer military base where conscription of soldiers begins.

Ferrera, a native of Buenos Aires who moved to Israel with his family when he was nine years old, lives in Be’er Sheva. “If I enlist in the army, I will contribute to the occupation even if I do not serve in the territories,” he said in an interview with Haaretz. “Any office work in the army is collaboration, and I want no part in it.”

Uriel Ferrera with his mother and sister.

Uriel Ferrera with his mother and sister. (Photo: Activestills)

“Refusing to serve is the way I protest,” he added. “Anyone who wants to make peace should not perform military service. I am doing what I feel is the most effective thing to change the current situation – I am not enlisting in the army in order to show them that there are people who think differently and refuse to obey.”

Relatives of Ferrera say that the army committee which handles cases of persons deemed unsuitable for military service recommended that Uriel not be granted an exemption. But when Ferrera reported to the induction center at Tel Hashomer on Sunday, he was told that the committee had reversed its position, and he received his exemption from military service.

Ferrera plans to study for his university entrance examinations, and will begin civilian national service in the summer.

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