Occupation objector Natan Blanc was released from military prison Tuesday after a a nearly sixth month term for refusing to serve in the Israel Defense Forces because of the occupation of the Palestinian territories. Last week, the IDF had declared Blanc unfit for duty and said it was about to release him.
Blanc, 20, has refused to be released from the IDF on psychological grounds. He was sentenced 10 times for a total of 178 days and was let out eight days early. Now, Blanc intends to complete his national service with Israeli ambulance service Magen David Adom. During Blanc’s time in prison, human rights groups lobbied for his release and several demonstrations were held near a military prison and the Defense Ministry in Tel-Aviv. Last month several dozen people from academia sent a letter to Military Advocate General Danny Efroni calling for his release on the grounds that he was exercising his right to freedom of conscience.
Young communists during a demonstration in solidarity with Natan Blanc near the Defense Ministry in Tel-Aviv (Photo: Gush Shalom)
Four activists from the Yesh Gvul draft-resistance movement came to Military Prison 6 on Tuesday to congratulate Blanc on his release. “We’re glad that the IDF, even though it had to be pressured politically, understood that there’s no point in remaining angry at someone because he isn’t going to serve,” said a leading activist in the movement, Dr. Yishai Menuhin. “Yesh Gvul congratulates Natan Blanc for his steadfastness in insisting on his right and obligation to say no to taking part in the occupation’s antidemocratic activities. We’re also glad that the IDF has decided to drop the method of repeated prison sentences for people who are committed to democratic values and are unwilling to take part in activities that contravene them.”
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