A young Israeli’s declaration of refusal

Wednesday July 30 2014

Udi Segal, a 19 year old Israeli, was due to begin military service on Monday July 28 2014. Although like most Israeli Jews of his age he is obliged by law to enlist in the army once he finishes school, Udi has refused. He is one of those known as refuzniks (in Hebrew sarvan, from sirev: ‘has refused’), like the other young people who refuse to serve in the Tsahal. Some of them refuse to serve in the occupied Palestinian territories, others, like Udi, totally refuse to join the army.

In 2005 there were over a thousand refuzniks in a country of eight million

people worn out from a state of permanent war and the patriotism that automatically results from it, which wants to divide Israeli society into two camps: patriots or traitors to the nation, “traitors to the nation” who are a tiny minority and very unpopular. It is difficult for us, living in the heart of pacified Europe, to understand the climate which, in Israel and Palestine, pushes every individual to a gregarious nationalism, to the point of its being etched in the DNA of the society. It is our responsibility as anarchists and anationalists, to spread the words and acts of those who refuse this logic of death, on both sides of the border. Especially when the spaces of contestation are usually also contaminated by this climate [1].

We therefore propose UDI’s declaration of refusal, wishing him strength, courage and determination to go forward, for an end to nationalism and patriotism.

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My name is Udi Segal, I am 19 years old, I’m from the Tuval Kibbutz, in the north

of Israel; a few months ago in 2014 I signed the Letter of Conscientious Objectors 2014 that was sent to the Prime Minister. Until now it has been signed by more than 130 refusers. In the letter we declared our refusal to serve in the Israeli army. The main reason is the occupation and continual oppression of the Palestinian people. This is expressed in unequal allocation of funds, denial of rights, and the ongoing killing of more than 600 people in this the last operation in Gaza. [2] In addition, military service contributes to Israeli militarism. For example, I, as a man, a Jew and an Ashkenazi [3], am more likely to have an impact on Israeli society and succeed because I was born of a background that suits Israeli militarism, and to which I am strongly opposed.

Even without the occupation, I would not join the army because it defends a national and capitalist system which I refuse to participate in and which contributes only to a few. I don’t think [the military operation in Gaza] really protects me. Military operations will not protect me but will only lead to other military operations. Such has been the case with the operation Cast Lead, which led to the operation Pillar of Defense which has now led to Operation Protective Edge, which in turn will probably bring about an additional operation.

What will protect me is a just peace recognizing the injustice done to the Palestinian people. You cannot realize peace when another people are being oppressed, occupied and an enclosure is enforced on it. This population has not given up its

desire for freedom and is not solely relying on the mercy of those

occupying it. So don’t expect security in a situation like this. And for those who believe they are the ones defending me. If the price of safety is more than 600 dead in Gaza,I’m not interested in this kind of protection.

My refusal will be difficult for my family. My brother is in the army and might be in Gaza when I go to prison, I hope it will not create insolvable conflicts. And beyond that, because of me, people will look a little askance at my parents and my brothers. I think I am contributing to Israeli society. It is important to emphasize that my refusal is not out of patriotism or Zionism, but rather from a global perspective, which of course includes Israel. And I think that the occupation is a hindrance and is even damaging to Israelis.

Many friends of my age have enlisted in the army. I also come from a very militarist place, my school has one of the highest recruitment percentages in the country. [4] Yes, there are many people who have stopped talking to me and have boycotted me since my refusal. But this is perhaps a test of friendship, since I also have friends who enlisted and have stayed with me.

I chose to go to jail because unfortunately Israelis listen to those who are ready to sacrifice themselves and are willing to pay the price. Prison is going to take away my freedom. This is something that is incomprehensible because until now, I have

Lived in relative freedom. In addition to that, for those opposing the occupation, conditions in prison could be especially harsh. For example, Uriel Ferera, who has been imprisoned. He has refused to wear the uniform and is humiliated also because he comes from a religious background. A am very afraid.

The overall goal of my refusal is to end the occupation. But in the current reality what is important and relevant is that Israelis open their eyes think about the meaning of the occupation and what it means to serve in the army. Especially teens approaching recruitment.

On the background of the operation now taking place in Gaza, I call on regular soldiers and reservists to refuse orders and not participate in the massacre. Udi Segal

Text of refusal from: https://showyou.com/v/y-a_0mEbyz54Q/i-refuse-by-udi-segal

On Monday July 28 at noon Udi Segal answered “I refuse” to the conscription call up accompanied by about 70 in solidarity, Jews and Arabs (including some other refuzniks), who were targeted by a counter-demonstration of patriotic shit that had gathered in haste by means of the sewer Facebook. Udi is currently being held in a

military prison.

Notes by non-fides

[1] You can see for example the organization Anarchists Against the Wall, which

is anarchist in name alone. This does not prevent many anarchists, by an identity reflex and the recognition of symbols, to consider them close to them, in spite of their statist speeches and their unconditional defence of the Palestinian flag and nation.

[2] The macabre accountancy has not ceased to augment since this declaration was mad

[3] The Ashkenazi are Jews originating from Eastern Europe, while the Sephardim are those of North and East African origin. Typically, Sephardic Jews in Israel have a lower standard of living than theAshkenazi. They also find it more difficult to reach a certain equality within Israeli society and to integrate in the so-called Zionist “refuge”. Note the creation, in the 70s, of the HaPanterim HaSh’horim (“Black Panthers”), on the model of the African American Black Panthers. A rebel movement characterized by riots, which was eventually unfortunately bought off by reforms and subsidies by the Israeli Ashkenazi politicians and the bourgeoisie.

[4] Udi spent his early years in a mixed Jewish-Arab school where Hebrew and Arabic were studied simultaneously, before going to this well-known public school. The State school in Israel has in particular the function of preparing young people for the military service.

letter of conscientious objectors 2014

9 March 2014 at 11:22

We, citizens of the state of Israel, are designated for army service.

We appeal to the readers of this letter to set aside what has always been taken for granted and to reconsider the implications of military service.

We, the undersigned, intend to refuse to serve in the army and the main reason for this refusal is our opposition to the military occupation of Palestinian territories. Palestinians in the occupied territories live under Israeli rule though they did not choose to do so, and have no legal recourse to influence this regime or its decision-making processes. This is neither egalitarian nor just. In these territories, human rights are violated, and acts defined under international law as war-crimes are perpetuated on a daily basis. These include assassinations (extrajudicial killings), the construction of settlements on occupied lands, administrative detentions, torture, collective punishment and the unequal allocation of resources such as electricity and water. Any form of military service reinforces this status quo, and, therefore, in accordance with our conscience, we cannot take part in a system that perpetrates the above-mentioned acts.

The problem with the army does not begin or end with the damage it inflicts on Palestinian society. It infiltrates everyday life in Israeli society too: it shapes the educational system, our workforce opportunities, while fostering racism, violence and ethnic, national and gender-based discrimination.

We refuse to aid the military system in promoting and perpetuating male dominance. In our opinion, the army encourages a violent and militaristic masculine ideal whereby ‘might is right’. This ideal is detrimental to everyone, especially those who do not fit it. Furthermore, we oppose the oppressive, discriminatory, and heavily gendered power structures within the army itself.

We refuse to forsake our principles as a condition to being accepted in our society. We have thought about our refusal deeply and we stand by our decisions.

We appeal to our peers, to those currently serving in the army and/or reserve duty, and to the Israeli public at large, to reconsider their stance on the occupation, the army, and the role of the military in civil society. We believe in the power and ability of civilians to change reality for the better by creating a more fair and just society. Our refusal expresses this belief.

Source : http://actforfree.nostate.net/