Hi,

This is Yeheli, the coordinator for Mesarvot network (Israeli network supporting Israeli youth refusers). We have exciting news. In the past few months we have been supporting a group of Israeli youth, obligated by law to enlist in the near future, in the process of writing a refusal declaration they initiated. In the declaration they state they will refuse military service for as long as the Israeli government continues anti-democratic oppressive actions, both towards Palestinians and Jews alike. 230 youth have signed the statement so far and we officially release it today to the Israeli public. Read the full statement below and please make sure to share it with friends, family, and colleagues by clicking here.

Youth against Dictatorship, Summer 2023

As young women and men about to be conscripted into Israeli military service, we say NO to dictatorship in Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We hereby declare that we refuse to join the military, until democracy is secured for all who live within the jurisdiction of the Israeli government.

Despite our six months of determined struggle for a genuine democracy that has been waging in the streets almost daily, the government continues to pursue its destructive agenda. We truly fear for our own future, and for the future of all who live here.

In view of this, we have no choice but to take extreme measures and refuse to serve in the army. A government that destroys the judiciary is not a government that we can serve. An army that militarily occupies another people is not an army that we can join.

The judicial coup has already exerted an enormous price on the Israeli society and on the Palestinian people. The dictatorship that has existed for decades in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is now oozing into Israel proper and is directed against us. Violent settlers now control the entire state. These are not recent developments. Undemocratic attitudes and actions are essential to maintaining this regime of occupation and Jewish supremacy. The only thing that has changed is that the mask is now off.

Faced with this reality, we say NO!

We know that the more youth groups will refuse service, the bigger the impact we’re going to have on the political situation in Israel. We hope to get this declaration through mainstream Israeli media channels to give more Israeli youth the courage and confidence to refuse themselves. Please click here to share this statement with everyone you know so we can get them all the support they need to continue their important actions.

I also want to share an update about 25 y/o conscientious objector “D”. He has been tried a fourth time by the Israeli military for refusing to serve the occupation. He received an additional sentence of 20 days, totalling 59 days. While he was serving his sentence, Mesarvot together with Yesh Gvul (Israeli network supporting Israeli reservists refusers), organized a support demonstration for him outside the prison. In a phone call received from “D” later that day he mentioned hearing us demonstrating made him feel supported and motivated and strengthened his spirit. “D” was released last Thursday from prison and is now at home waiting to get news whether he will be imprisoned again or receive an exemption.

In solidarity,

Yeheli