FREE THE SHMINISTIM – ISRAEL'S YOUNG CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS. The Shministim
are Israeli high school students who have been imprisoned for refusing
to serve in an army that occupies the Palestinian Territories. Show
your support by contacting the Israeli Minister of Defense using the
form below. Israeli peace activists will hand-deliver your message on
December 18th, the Shministim Day of Action. 6,000 LETTERS AND COUNTING!
When you send your message, we'll keep you on our list and will let you know about when you can help.
Name: Tamar Katz
Age: 19
Location: Tel-Aviv
Why I am one of the Shministim: “I
refuse to enlist in the Israeli military on conscientious grounds. I am
not willing to become part of an occupying army, that has been an
invader of foreign lands for decades, which perpetuates a racist regime
of robbery in these lands, tyrannizes civilians and makes life
difficult for millions under a false pretext of security.” First Sentence: 28th Sept. - 10th Oct. 2008 (12 days)
Second Sentence: 12th - 30th Oct. 2008(18 days) Third Sentence: 1st - 22nd Dec. 2008 (21 days)
Name: Yuval Ophir-Auron
Age: 19
Why I am one of the Shministim: “I am convinced that it is no one
but ourselves who determines that it is our fate to live by the sword.
There is another way, which is not the way of war. This is the path of
dialogue, of understanding, of concession, forgiveness, of peace.
I believe that a person should take responsibility and feel reconciled
to the way he chooses. This is why I shall not join an army behind
whose actions I cannot stand and whose behavior I cannot justify.” Sentence: 24th Nov. - 7th Dec. 2008 (14 days)
Name: Raz Bar-David Varon
Age: 18
Why I am one of the Shministim: “I wasn’t born to serve as a soldier
who occupies another, and the struggle against the occupation is mine
too. It is a struggle for hope, for a reality that sometimes feels so
far away. I have a responsibility for this society. My responsibility
is to refuse.” First Sentence: 3rd - 21st Nov. 2008 (18 days)
Second Sentence: 24th Nov. - 30th Nov. 2008(currently in prison)
Name: Omer Goldman
Age: 19
Location:Tel-Aviv Why I am one of the Shministim:
“I believe in service to the society I am part of, and that is
precisely why I refuse to take part in the war crimes committed by my
country. Violence will not bring any kind of solution, and I shall not
commit violence, come what may.” First Sentence: 22nd Sept. - 10th Oct. 2008 (18 days)
Second Sentence: 12th - 24th Oct. 2008 (10 days)
Name: Sahar Vardi Age: 18 Location:Jerusalem Why I am one of the Shministim: “I realize that the soldier at the
checkpoint is not responsible for the wretched policy of the oppressor
towards civilians, I am unable to relieve that soldier of
responsibility for his conduct … I mean the human responsibility of not
causing another human being to suffer.” First Sentence: 25th - 31st Aug. 2008 (6 days) Second Sentence: 12th - 30th Oct. (18 days) Third Sentence: 3rd - 21st Nov. 2008 (18 days)
Conscientious objector, Tamar Katz, a signatory of the 2008 high
school seniors refusal letter, was sentenced today, 1 Dec, to 21 days
in military prison in solitary confinement.
On November 26, 2008 Howard Zinn sent his letter of protest to the
Ministry of Defense in Israel, supporting the Shministim and their
right to peacefully object military service. Read a copy of Howard
Zinn’s letter below that asks people to join him and sign a letter of
support for the Shministim.
The Jewish-American group Jewish Voice for Peace Advisory Board
member historian Howard Zinn has announced a solidarity campaign with
the Shministim, a group of Israeli high school students who refuse to
serve in the Israeli military because of the occupation of Palestinian
Territories.
Yuval Oron-Ofir, a signatory of the 2008 high school seniors refusal
letter, was sentenced on Monday, 24 Nov., to 14 days in military prison
for his refusal to serve in the Israeli military. Yuval is 19 years of
age. He lives in the Arab-Jewish village of Neve Shalom / Wahat
al-Salaam.
November 18, 2008
Omer Goldman, daughter of the former deputy head of Mossad, the Israeli
intelligence service, who has served a total of 35 days since since
Sept 2008, was today exempted from military service on medical grounds.
Name: Tamar Katz
