‘Youth Against Dictatorship’: Meet Israel’s new class of conscientious objectors
JVL Introduction
In a new wave of resistance, 230 young people have signed a “Youth Against Dictatorship” open letter, refusing to serve in the Israeli army:
“We truly fear for our own future, and for the future of all who live here. In view of this, we have no choice but to take extreme measures and refuse to serve in the army. A government that destroys the judiciary is not a government that we can serve. An army that militarily occupies another people is not an army that we can join.”
Photographs and reporting by Oren Ziv.
RK
This article was originally published by +972 Magazine, in partnership with Local Call on Tue 5 Sep 2023. Read the original here.
‘Youth Against Dictatorship’: Meet Israel’s new class of conscientious objectors
Eight new draft refusers speak about the occupation, the anti-judicial reform protests, and conscientious objection as a tool of protest.
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I’m filled with admiration for these brave and intelligent young people.
I am not young and I am not Jewish. I am full of hope for the future. Thanks to these wonderful young people.
There is hope yet. The young people of Israel give all of us hope for the future. Please, all who care, show your support for these very brave youngsters.
The actions of these young people should be commended and hopefully will lead to an Israel which is fit for ALL its citizens to have a decent future. We just hope leaders of other countries who support what Israel is doing to the people of Palestine take note. Ordinary people everywhere want peace in the world not war. Thank you Jewish Voice for Labour for giving us this opportunity to support these brave young people who will be admired by millions of other young people to fight for peace.
This is a really positive development! Until now, the protests have been entirely about returning to the previous status quo, but these statements show Israelis slowly beginning to oppose the occupation.
Until now, most israelis have dealt with the occupation by simply refusing to think about it, but this is bringing it home in a way that can’t be ignored. Hopefully, it will snowball and transform the protest movement into something genuinely radical.
In solidarity and admiration
I wish I had been as brave and astonishingly articulate as these fine people at their age! Or now.
I stand with you honest courageous people
Conscience is supreme, personal integrity paramount and doing what is right in your own eyes is all that matters.