Last week, the Israeli Army released two conscientious objectors who had previously been jailed for refusing to serve the occupation: Ofir Averbukh (from Tzofit) had cumulatively served more than 150 days in military prison and Noa Gur-Golan (from Netanya) who was released on Sunday, October 29, after a total of 98 days behind bars. Gur-Golan was granted an exemption for what military authorities termed “serious misconduct.”
Like other conscientious objectors, they were supported by Mesarvot — Refusing to Serve the Occupation, a grassroots network that brings together individuals and groups who refuse to be conscripted into the Israel military in protest against the occupation.
Hadas Tal, who refuses to serve the Israeli occupation, is still jailed in a military prison. (Photo: Mesarvot)
“After 98 days in military jail, I am leaving with my head held high, proud of my ‘serious misconduct,’” said Gur Golan upon her release. “I am happy to be free and have the possibility of continuing to work towards a just and equal society. I hope that future conscientious objectors, whether secular or ultra-Orthodox, won’t need to sit a single day in prison in order to prove their beliefs.” Conscientious objectors Hadas Tal, 18 (from Kibbutz Yifat) is currently imprisoned for refusing to serve in the army. Thus far, she has served a total of 60 days behind bars.
