By Ofri Ilani, Haaretz – 12 Oct 2009
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1120421.html
Dozens of graduating high school seniors signed a letter on Monday declaring their refusal to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces.
The missive, which was addressed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, stated that the reason for their refusal to serve stems from the belief that “there is no military solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
“We hereby announce our refusal to take part in the military apparatus,” read the letter which was signed by 88 youths. “We do not see a military solution as the proper solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
“We are not evading the duty to contribute to society and we are not breaking Israeli law, but rather it is our war for human rights which is an act of preserving Israel’s democratic character,” the high school seniors wrote.
The four youths who presented the letter to the press said they intend to refuse military conscription and that they are ready to serve time in military prison.
The youths said other signatories chose to gain an exemption from the army through other means without refusing.
