Five Israelis jailed for refusing to serve in army

[Resistance]

Hinustan Times (AP)

Jerusalem, January 4

A military court on Sunday sentenced five Israeli teenagers to one year in jail for refusing to serve in the military because of Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the army said.

The three judges ruled that the men had acted for political and ideological reasons in an effort to draw other young people to their cause and force a change in government policies in an undemocratic way, Israel media reported.

The lawyer for the five, Dov Hanin, said that they were conscientious objectors who are not punished under Israeli law.

During the past three years of fighting between Israel and the Palestinians, many Israelis have declared their objection to serving in the territories in light of reports of harassment and abuse of Palestinians. However, only a few have refused outright to join the military, like the five teenagers.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. These Israelis have a conscience

and are walking their talk. I support them totally, and pray for peace in the Middle East.

[bluesoul]

2. And no replies

from youknowwho...

[beanball]

3. Those five

are the light that others should follow.

[number6]

4. kick

:kick: "are the light that others should follow" YES

[Resistance]

5. Reuters story

Israel army jails five conscientious objectors

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Five Israelis who refused to do compulsory military service in protest against the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip were jailed for a year on Sunday, the first such sentences since the Palestinian revolt began three years ago.

"Every day troops commit crimes in the occupied territories," one of the five men, Haggai Matar, told reporters at Jaffa Military Court, referring to Israeli military actions in Palestinian territories. "While we go to the stockade, they remain free."