Visit our website: HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK ---------------------------------------------Analysis of Israeli Conscientious Objectors After the WTC/Pentagon Bombings
by Sergiey Sandler of New Profile 1:49pm Thu Sep 13 '01
http://www.indymedia.org.il/imc/israel/webcast/display.php3?article_id=6953
Less than 24 hours after the attack on the WTC and the Pentagon, the Israeli military has stepped up its actions against the Palestinian People. However, the number of Israeli Conscientious Objectors continues to rise and inhibits the ability of the Israeli Military to attain its objectives.
Less than 24 hours after the attack on the WTC and the Pentagon, the
Israeli military radio station interviewed Israel's Minister of
Tourism
Ze'evi, a former military general, is the
leader of Israel's ultra-rightwing faction, Moledet openly advocating
the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian Occupied Territories. In the
interview, Ze'evi argued that Israel should 'seize the opportunity,
now that the world understands us' and 'exterminate the Palestinian
entity'. He did not even try to hide the great satisfaction in his
voice, but then, he had good reason to be satisfied: that night he had
been made a member of the so-called 'kitchen cabinet' - the top
decision-making body of the Israeli government.
Reporting on his first meeting with this forum, Ze'evi said he raised
his ideas before the other ministers, and those who earlier were
hesitant now 'humbly lowered their eyes'. However, while Ze'evi's mad
plans encounter little resistance in the Israeli government, they may
now meet unexpected opposition from below.
Recent years, and especially recent months, saw a dramatic decline in
the willingness of Israelis to enlist in the army and to take part in
the occupation. Conscientious objection is on the rise, and
dramatically so.
Conscientious objection in Israel comes in many different forms. In
addition to pacifists and anarchists, objecting to serve in any sort
of army, there are also political objectors, who refuse to serve in an
occupying army, and yet other political objectors who do serve in the
army, but refuse to be stationed on occupied territory. Finally, there
are members of the Druse religious community, who are drafted by the
Israeli army, but refuse to serve in an army fighting against their
own, Palestinian, people.
All in all, we know of at least 26 Objectors that were imprisoned for
their beliefs since the beginning of the Intifada one year ago. This
compared to only three imprisoned COs in the preceding year. They are,
however, only the tip of the iceberg.
New Profile, a feminist organization working to de-militarize Israeli
society and supporting conscientious objectors of all types, estimates
at least one hundred men and several hundreds of women were
interviewed this year by the two military committees set up to examine
cases of conscientious objection. A CO status exists in Israel for
women only. Men are practically always rejected by these committees by
various excuses and most reach military prison in the end. Three
appeals filed by COs to Israel's supreme court, which are being
discussed these days, challenge this situation.
Yesh Gvul, an organization supporting selective political objectors,
reports that it received some 200 calls from objectors. 95% of these
objectors do not end up in prison, because the army at some stage
decides to station them within Israel's recognized borders. However,
some still end up in prison, including, most recently, four junior
officers.
The Druse Initiative Committee, promoting objection to military
service in the Druse community, estimates that only some 50% of all
Druse men end up serving in the military.
The growth in the number of declared objectors is not only the result
of the Intifada. It also marks the arrival of a new generation of
Israeli citizens, more independent in their thought than their parents
and older siblings. 62 of these young people, aged 15-18, have
recently signed a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
stating their intention to refuse participating in the oppression of
the Palestinian people. 'We protest before you against the aggressive
and racist policy pursued by the Israeli government and its army, and
inform you that we do not intend to take part in the execution of this
policy', they wrote. Since the letter was published on September 2nd,
it has received wide public attention and more youths have added their
signature to it.
Will the plans of minister Ze'evi materialize or will the resistance
of people of conscience in Israel will help prevent a new disaster
coming in the wake of the one that already happened? It is hard to
tell. Still, one important index gives room for hope, at least in the
long range. According to data obtained by New Profile, in recent
years, the relative amount of Israeli citizens that complete regular
military service has dropped below the 50% line (now standing
approximately at 44%). It appears most Israelis, even when they voice
support for the gravest crimes, fail, in the final account, to support
these crimes with their actions.
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