We bring you a special message from Or Ben David, the coordinator of New Profile’s counselling network.
New Profile is an anti-militarist, feminist organization that believes that the militarism embedded in all aspects of Israeli society weakens civilian and democratic values. One of the ways New Profile works towards the demilitarization of Israeli society is through supporting youth who independently choose not to serve in the Israeli army by supporting them in obtaining an exemption.
My name is Or Ben David. I am a queer, vegan, human rights activist and Mizrahi Jew. I started working at New Profile two years ago, but my relationship with the organisation began in 2006, at the age of sixteen, when I joined the New Profile youth group.
As a radical youngster, New Profile’s youth group allowed me to ask tough questions, practice nonviolent communication, speak openly about social taboos, and learn more about the person I wanted to become.
In 2009, New Profile provided me crucial support when I refused to join the Israeli army. I was unwilling to be a part of upholding the occupation by serving in a patriarchal and violent army, and was thus sentenced to Military Prison and sat there for a total of 4.5 months. With little support from my family and friends, New Profile supported me with ongoing aid, letters of solidarity from around the world, and vegan food. New Profile even organised support demonstrations for myself and my other jailed peers.
Today, my position in New Profile involves overseeing the day-to-day of the Counseling Network--speaking with counselees, collecting information regarding the ever changing exemption processes, and supporting and training our volunteers.
New Profile's Counseling Network supports youth who independently decide not to enlist in the Israeli military regardless of their background, socio-economic status, or political orientation. We support them throughout the entire exemption process, from their initial contact with us until they receive exemption, via free and ongoing support, legal aid, and additional resources and information.
The network is crucial to thousands of young Israelis during a critical point in their lives: for those who understand that they neither want to kill or be killed, for those who must not join the army out of fear of self-harm, for those whose socio-economic restraints at home mean they must stay at home to provide for their family, and for those who do not want to join a belligerent, violent, and patriarchal body.
Supporting New Profile supports the fight for demilitarization and against occupation.
Supporting New Profile supports the right for women to feel safe--whether they are Jewish or Palestinian.
Supporting New Profile is to oppose the ongoing oppression and ‘othering’ in our society.
New Profile is my political home, and I am grateful to be a part of it.
In solidarity,
Or