Refusal Is In the Air

[Violet_Crumble]

by Reuven Kaminer
February 22, 2004


Four separate Refusal-centered events are currently on the agenda in the country. In Tel Aviv, a high level IDF committee discussed at length a demand from the IDF prison authorities to 'relocate' the five anti-occupation conscientious objectors, Hagai Matar, Noam Bahat, Adam Maor, Matan Kaminer and Shimri Tsameret to the civilian prison system.



The infamous IDF Conscience Commission turned down for the fourth time, Yoni Ben Artzi's demand that he be exempted from service on the basis of his clear pacifist convictions, but did redirect him to the Incompatibility Commission with a recommendation that he be released from the IDF.



Amid Zahad from the town of Dalyat El-Karmel belongs to that section of Israeli Druze who have opted for military service. Therefore, his decision to join the Israeli refusal group, Courage to Refuse, was newsworthy and led to his designation as the first Druze refusenik. Zahad told the media that his action met with general approval in his community.



Laura Milo will not be alone this Sunday morning, February 22, 2004 when she presents herself to the IDF mobilization base in order to be jailed. Laura wrote to the Conscience Commision that she "refuses to participate in the crimes perpetrated by Israel through the IDF. I am not a pacifist. My refusal is motivated by my opposition to the occupation." And the Commision wrote back that her request was rejected because her position was not related to a question of conscience. Laura, a member of Hashomer Hatzair, has recently completed a year of community service in the Yeruham development town. She will receive deep expressions of solidarity from members of the High School Seniors group (the 'shministim'), New Profile and members of the Refusers Parents' Forum. If indeed jailed, Laura will join Inbal Gilbart, serving her third sentence in jail after her right to follow the dictates of her conscience was rejected by the Conscience Commission.


http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=22&ItemID=5025