The Israeli military committee that examines the claims of conscientious objectors rejected on Sunday, July 10, the request of 19 year-old Tair Kaminer’s to release her from military service for reasons of conscience. Kaminer was recently sentenced to a sixth consecutive stint in military prison. The committee explained its decision by saying that Kaminer has refused to serve in the army because she opposes the policy of Israel’s government in its occupation of the Palestinian territories and not because of any problems of conscience that would keep her from serving in the military in principle.
Joint List MK Ayman Odeh (Hadash) among the protesters demonstrating outside Military Prison 6 near Atlit last Saturday, July 9. The protesters came to demand the release of Tair Kaminer and Omri Baranes, who had both recently received additional jail sentences for their continued refusal to be inducted into the Israeli army because of their opposition to the occupation of the Palestinian territories. (Photo: Hadash)
In a few days Kaminer will appear before a different committee of the IDF, which will examine whether she is at all suitable for military service. This committee has the authority to grant her a full exemption from military service, if she is found unsuitable. Kaminer has repeatedly offered to do national civilian service in lieu of military service.
In her appeal to the committee on conscientious objection, Kaminer wrote that she was asking for an exemption from military service for reasons of conscience, and that she has been jailed repeatedly since January for this refusal to serve, even though she wants to do civilian national service. Kaminer had previously done a year of national service with the Scouts movement in Sderot. “During my year of service and my experience living in Sderot, I went through processes within myself and understood that my conscience does not allow me to serve in the army. I understood that I would not be able to live with myself if I knew I was cooperating and remained silent in the face of everything going on in my country,” she wrote.
“My refusal stems from a desire to contribute to my society and make it a better place, and is part of an ongoing struggle for peace and equality,” wrote Kaminer. Kaminer is a member of a group of conscientious objectors called Objectors (Mesarvot) – A Political Objection Network. The group said the IDF cannot give its approval to Kaminer’s form of objection because her conscience does not allow her to enlist and “in doing so participate directly or indirectly in the repression and expulsion of the Palestinian people.” Her continued imprisonment is intended to weaken her and deter other young people from following her, “but she has strength in her struggle,” said the organization.
A month ago, Kaminer was sentenced to another 45 days in military prison for for her refusal to serve. By the time she completes this, her sixth term of imprisonment, she will have been incarcerated for 170 days, the longest period ever imposed on a female conscientious objector. Last week, several dozen law professors and other academics wrote to Military Advocate General Brig. Gen. Sharon Afek to protest her jailing. The letter, signed by 39 jurists, criticized IDF policy toward conscientious objectors and said that the sentences imposed on Kaminer are disproportionate. “The refusal of a person to serve in the IDF because such service requires acting in a manner that the one refusing sees as deeply offensive to basic morals is the realization of such a person’s right to freedom of conscience. Punishing this person undermines this right and is permitted only if it complies with proportionality,” the letter reads.
The writers noted that they believe the state “is not permitted to impose a lengthy prison term on a person who refuses to serve for reasons of conscience. Such imprisonment is disproportionate. In light of this, we believe that the case of Tair Kaminer is an example of an inappropriate policy.”
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