Update on Conscientious Objectors by New Profile 4:53pm Wed May 7 '03 Update on Conscientious Objection in Israel print article Dear friends, Before the update a bit of news: THE INTERNATIONAL REFUSAL SEMINAR, TEL-AVIV 2003. Since the 1980s, 15 May is celebrated as International Conscientious Objectors' Day. In 2003, WRI and New Profile, organise an international non-violent direct action in Israel, in support of the Israeli objectors. Preceding this direct action there will be a week-long international seminar on objection and non-violent action. This will be the main international event for International Conscientious Objectors' Day this year. The entire event will start with a seminar style action on the weekend prior to 15th May (Friday/Saturday 9/10 May 2003). This seminar will include: Experience of CO movements: Chile, Serbia & Montenegro, Macedonia, Turkey, South Korea, Germany, Spain, and others The CO movement in Israel: selective refusal (Yesh Gvul, Courage to Refuse), draft resistance (Shministim, New Profile), women's draft resistance, Druze conscientious objectors (Druze Initiative Committee for CO). Nonviolent resistance - examples of non-violent movement strategies and tactics. The training (11-14 May 2003) will focus on: Introduction to non-violence and non-violent action Tools for planning an action (these tools will be put into practice immediately) and Nonviolent techniques to deal with abusive behavior and threats from bystanders at an action. The afternoons of the training will be used for workshops on different topics, open for the public. These workshops will be presented by various groups and organisations engaged in non-violent resistance in Israel and the Palestinian Occupied Territories. The action (15th May) will put the experience of the training to a test. It is aimed to get publicity in Israel, and abroad. We hope that the action will be creative, but as the planning of the action is an important part of the training experience, no decision on any action has been made yet. On the same day, there will be other actions, in solidarity with objectors in Israel, that will take place in different places around the world. If you live outside of Israel, and want to join / initiate such an action, please contact us. The activities aim at: * Strengthening the network of objectors' organisations in Israel, and strengthening international support for these groups (New Profile, Yesh Gvul, The Shministim, Courage to Refuse). * Raising international awareness for the treatment of objectors in Israel, who are imprisoned several times, in absence of any recognition of the right to conscientious objection. * Linking the issue of objectors in Israel with Palestinian non-violent resistance and efforts for coexistence and cooperation among Israeli and Palestinian groups. * Exchange of experience in non-violent direct action among groups from Israel, Palestine, and abroad, especially on issues of conscientious objection. * Strengthening international networking of conscientious objectors through joint training and action. How to get there: The seminar is going to take place in the "old jaffa" hostel, 8 olei tzion st., right next to the flee market. Participation is free of charge (although we wouldn't mind some donations to cover costs). For further details, please call us at 058-595500, or write us at mailto:newprofile@speedy.co.il. You can also find information on WRI's website, at www.wri-irg.org/news/2003/icod-act.htm. JONATHAN BEN-ARTZI: COURT MARTIAL The court martial of Yoni will begin at Mat 28th, 9:00 a.m. at the military court in Jafa, 91-93 Yefet st. ,at the corner of Shivtey Israel st. Yoni's family requested the presence of activists and supporters in his tiral. We are expecting large media coverage of the trial, so it's very important to be there and show Yoni that we support him, as well as to the media and the Judges. Currently in prison: Slaam Salame: Salaam, a Druze CO, has been going inn and out of prison for the last 2 years. All his attempts to get exempt were unsuccessful. He has been a deserter for the past six months, and this week he was captured and taken to Jalame detention center, where he awaits his trial. This can take a few months. Shahar Ben-Har: Shahar was imprisoned on 24.4. to his third prison term, for his refusal to continue and serve in the army of occupation. He was sentenced to 28 days and is currently in the isolation ward of prison no.4. his address: Shahar Ben-Har, i.d. 7198994, AGAF HABIDUD, prison 4, military post 02507, IDF. Konstantin Soskin: Konstantin, a pacifist, was imprisoned on 26.4. to his third prison term, this time to 28 days, he is in the isolation ward of prison no.4. his address: Konstantin Soskin, i.d. AGAF HABIDUD, prison 4, military post 02507, IDF. Shmoel Baron: I have previously told you all the story of Shmoel, who, despite being a pacifist, was sent to combat training, and has spent in the year since he was enlisted more than 120 days in prison, mostly in the isolation ward. Shmoel was sent to the unsuitability committee, which decided not to exempt him. He was tried afterwards and sentenced to 28 days im prison no. 6, he is in the isolation ward. There is no doubt that had Shmoel not declared himself a pacifist, the army would have exempted him long ago. It is no secret that in the last years there is a policy of releasing people like Shmoel, unless they are pacifits. His address: Shmoel Baron, i.d. 7172763, AGAF HABIDUD, prison 6. military post 01860, IDF. Rabia Jihad Sa'ad: Rabia is imprisoned in prison no. 4, where he still awaits his court martial for desertion. Hiss address: Rabia Jihad Sa'ad, i.d. 7232805, prison 4, military post 02507, IDF. Hillel Goral: Hillel is in prison no. 4, we waits for his trial under the charge of desertion. Hillel has so far served three terms in prison, which amount to about 80 days. His address: Hillel Goral, i.d. 7269230, prison 4, military post 02507, IDF. Gil'ad Svirsky: Gil'ad, a reserve soldier, was sentenced to 28 day in prison no.6, for refusing to serve in the occupied territories. This is his second imprisonment. His address: Gil'ad Svirsly, P.O.B 16238, Tel Aviv. BETWEEN PRISON TERMS: -Ylia Gintzburg's first prison term of 28 days has ended, and he is at home at the moment. -Arseiny Hotorinsky's first prison term of 35 days has ended, he is currently at home waiting to be summoned to the "conscientious committee" -Yoel Perlman's first prison term of 28 days has ended, he is supposed report again to the induction base in the next few days. -Rotem Ronen's second prison term of 28 days has ended, he is supposed report again to the induction base in the next few days. -Amit Ris second prison term of 28 days has ended as well, he is supposed report again to the induction base in the next few days. OPEN DETENTION: Conscientious objectors Yoni Ben Artzi, Haggai Mattar, Shimri Tzameret, Noam Bahat and Adam Maor are held in open detentin until the the of their court martial. The next hearing will take place towards the end of May. What can we do? First of all, please circulate this message and the information contained in it as widely as possible, not only through e-mail, but also on websites, conventional media, by word of mouth, etc. Other recommendations for action: 1.sign the online – petition: 2. Sending Letters of Support for Prisoners Please send the prisoners your messages of support to the addresses above or to: [Prisoner's name] POB 16238 Tel-Aviv Israel. Messages of support could also be sent to all imprisoned objectors by e-mail, at mailto:dash@seruv.org.il. In addition to the letters of support, you can also send packages to prisoners (to counter the Israeli custom of sending gift packages to soldiers). You can use the POB above for that purpose. Note that there is no way to insert foodstuffs into the prison. Books, on the other hand, are the prisoner's best friends. 2. Letters to Authorities It is recommended to send letters of protest on behalf of the objectors to: Mr. Shaul Mofaz, Minister of Defence, Ministry of Defence, 37 Kaplan St., Tel-Aviv 61909, Israel. E-mail: mailto:sar@mod.gov.il or mailto:pniot@mod.gov.il Fax: ++972-3-696-27-57 / ++972-3-691-69-40 / ++972-3-691-79-15 Copies can be sent to the commanders of the prisons at: Commander of Military Prison No. 4, Military Prison No. 4, Military postal number 02507, IDF Israel. Fax: ++972-3-957-52-76 Another useful address for sending copies would be the Military Attorney General: Brig. Gen. Menachem Finklestein Chief Military Attorney Military postal code 9605 IDF Israel Fax: ++972-3-569-43-70 In the cases of draft resisters and conscripts it would be especially useful to send your appeals to the Commander of the Induction Base in Tel-Hashomer. It is this officer that ultimately decides whether an objector is to be exempted from military service or sent to another round in prison: Deborah Chassid Commander of Induction Base, Tel-Hashomer Military Postal Code 02718, IDF Israel. Fax: ++972-3-737-60-52 You can also protest to the local Israeli embassy, you can find the addresses on the web: http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfh/Eng/Ntz/Ntz_Israel.asp?seek=1&let=85 Copies of appeals in can also be sent to: Head of Incompatibles Unit Induction Base (Baqum) Tel-Hashomer Fax: ++972-3-737-67-05. Addresses of additional military and government officials, as well as those of some Israeli media, to which you can send copies of your appeals, can be found at this web address: http://www.newprofile.org/english/Summery_CO_01.html (see the bottom of the page). Please be aware that writing to the media at this time is more important than ever. A standard sample letter is available at the bottom of the same web page (http://www.newprofile.org/english/Summery_CO_01.html#sample). However it would be advisable to adjust your letter to the particular circumstances of the case. Thank you, David Raban, New Profile. www.newprofile.org/english add your comments Source file

Jail the Traitors! by Smash Treason 12:26pm Thu May 8 '03 print comment Smash Treason! add your comments

Jail the Traitors! by A Proud Zionist: 12:18am Fri May 9 '03 print comment As long as their political believes pose a threat to Fascism! add your comments

Well done refuseniks. by aron 3:03am Sat May 10 '03 print comment At least they demonstrate some Israelis still have a conscience and some morals left. They are much braver than the idiots who believe everytthing they are told, and are encouraged to kill every one who stands in their way. They are the last remnants of a decent Israel that the world could have a sympathy with. add your comments

Solution for them by hank 9:36pm Sat May 10 '03 print comment http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/2381.html add your comments