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You are here: Frontpage > News > ISRAEL: Conscientious objectors Jonathan Ben-Artzi and Uri Ya'acobi receive sixth prison term

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09-Dec-2002

ISRAEL: Conscientious objectors Jonathan Ben-Artzi and Uri Ya'acobi receive sixth prison term

by: Concodoc/War Resisters' International

Jonathan Ben-Artzi.
PHOTO: (c) private ,

Worldwide: ISRAEL: Sixth prison term for Jonathan Ben-Artzi and Uri Ya'acobi

The two conscientious objectors Jonathan Ben-Artzi (ISR12371) and Uri Ya'acobi (ISR12376) were yesterday (8 December) sentenced to their sixth prison terms, in breach of UN Commission for Human Rights resolutions 2002/45 and 1998/77. Repeatedly Israel tries to use repeated imprisonment to break conscientious objectors.

Jonathan Ben-Artzi already spent a total of 126 days in prison. He was now sentenced to a further 35 days - a total of 161 days in prison.
Jonathan Ben-Artzi was first sentenced on 8 August to 28 days in prison. He wrote:
"I, Jonathan Ben-Artzi, am refusing to join the army on grounds of pacifism. My profound convictions in nonviolence began when I was a small child, and developed over the years into a broad political philosophy. Because of my beliefs, my own country is going to imprison me, in defiance of international laws, basic moral values, and fundamental human rights. I will go to prison proudly, knowing that this is the least I can do to improve this country, and the cause of pacifism."
Jonathan Ben-Artzi filed for exemption from military service on grounds of conscientious objection two years ago, and even went to the Israeli Supreme Court. As Israel doesn't recognise the right to conscientious objection, the Israeli military decided not to exempt Jonathan Ben-Artzi, and the Supreme Court decided not to interfere with the military procedure.
After being sentenced on 8 August 2002, Jonathan Ben-Artzi was then sentenced again on 4 September, 1 October, 21 October, and 10 November 2002.
Uri Ya'acobi (ISR12376) was first sentenced on 14 August to 14 days in military prison due to his conscientious objection. Two days before he got arrested for refusing to enlist, he published a statement "I am no occupier, full stop." (see below)
After his first sentence on 14 August, Uri Ya'acobi was again sentenced on 1 September, 1 October, 15 October, and 10 November. So far he spent a total of 106 days in prison, plus the additional sentence of 28 days.
Both cases - the case of Jonathan Ben-Artzi and of Uri Ya'acobi - indicate a tougher response from the Israeli authorities. Usually, conscientious objectors were sent to the "Incompatibility Committee" after spending 90 to 100 days in prison. This seems to be changing now - earlier this year conscientious objector Victor Sabranski was jailed five times for a total of 126 days. War Resisters' International and New Profile decided to submit his case to the UN Commission on Human Rights Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (see http://www.wri-irg.org/news/2002/newprofile.htm).
The new harsh treatment of conscientious objectors also seems to be a response to increased unwillingness in Israel to serve in the army. Besides open conscientious objection, many reservists ignore their call-up to reserve duty, for various reasons. In addition, the number of open refuseniks is increasing steadily.

War Resisters' International
- calls for strong protests against the repeated imprisonment of conscientious objectors in Israel, especially against the sixth prison terms for Jonathan Ben-Artzi and Uri Ya'acobi.
- calls for strongly worded letters of protest to the Israeli authorities, and Israeli embassies abroad.
- calls for the immediate release of conscientious objectors Jonathan Ben-Artzi and Uri Ya'acobi.

Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International

A picture of Jonathan Ben-Artzi can be found at http://wri-irg.org/co/BenArtzi.jpg.
Uri Ya’acobi’s statement can be found at http://wri-irg.org/co/yaacobi.htm

Source: Concodoc/War Resisters' International