Update: women COs in Israel

by: Jenny Noyce

Israel: The Israeli army has recently begun imprisoning female conscientious objectors, with three women - Inbal Gelbert, Laura Milo, and Veronica Kravtzov - receiving 14-day prison sentences during the past month.

Gelbert, a pacifist whose requests to see the military's Conscience Committee have been denied, shared part of her fourth term in prison with Milo. Although past CO claims such as Milo's have been accepted for exemption, the army recently decided that reasons of conscience only apply to "proved" pacifists. Milo herself says "I am not a pacifist; my objection is to the occupation."

The supreme court has previously indicated that refusal of military service in the occupied territories is motivated by reasons of conscience. Milo realises this motivation as she says, "It is my conscientious duty to tell my truth fully. I will refuse out of a deeply personal motive so I can go on living in this country at peace with what my conscience tells me." However, the Conscience Committee ruled that "her problem isn't one of conscience".

Kravtzov was enrolled in the Israeli Defense Force academic programme, where conscripts defer while they study and then undertake two additional years of army service. During her studies she began to oppose military service: her request to see the Conscience Committee was refused based on the grounds that Academic programme participants are not entitled to be pacifists.

All three women have now been released.

Five men are currently imprisoned for their total objection to military service, a sixth for his refusal to serve in the Occupied Territories. For a list of current prisoners, see http://www.yesh-gvul.org

Around 1,200 Israelis have so far pledged their refusal to perform military service in the Occupied Territories.

To support Gelbert, email her at gelbartm@nettvision.net.il

Letters of protest on behalf of objectors can be sent to:
Mr Shaul Mofaz
Minister of Defence
Ministry of Defence
37 Kaplan St.
Tel-Aviv 61909
Israel

Further information can be found in the PN archives (8 March, 2004 Women COs imprisoned in Israel, http://www.peacenews.info/news/article/194) or at http://www.newprofile.org

Source: New Profile