Some Israeli youth see conscription as a tool by which their state oppress a dispossessed people
More than 80 Israeli students have announced their refusal to serve in the Israeli military because of what they call their nation’s track-record of oppression in the occupied territories.
The conscientious objectors issued a letter declaring their determination not to join up during a news conference in Tel Aviv in protest against the government’s policies towards Gaza and the West Bank.
“We cannot ignore the truth – the occupation is a violent, racist, inhumane, illegal, undemocratic, immoral and an extreme condition that presents a mortal danger to both peoples,” the letter read.
“We, who were educated on the values of liberty, justice, honesty and peace, cannot accept it.”
It was signed by 84 high school students.
Four of the signatories at the news conference on Monday said they were aware that refusing to enlist would land them in jail, but noted that they were acting out of loyalty to their values and those of the society they live in.
“We were born into the reality of the occupation and many in our generation see it as something ‘natural’,” Or Ben-David, a 19-year-old from Jerusalem, said.
Ben-David is legally obliged to join the army at the beginning of November.
“But I opened my eyes to what was around me and became critical of the Israeli society. I visited in the West Bank and met with Palestinians, it changed my view of things.” Read more…
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