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CO Imprisoned
- Subject: CO Imprisoned
- From: "Sergeiy Sandler" <sergeiy at bgumail.bgu.ac.il>
- Date: Sat, 7 Apr 2001 22:26:29 +0200
Dear Friends, On Sunday, 1 Apr. 2001, The 19-year-old Israeli conscientious objector to military service, Gabriel (Gabby) Wolf was imprisoned after refusing to undergo recruitment. The rest of the message is divided into two sections - the first containing background information on the case and the second listing recommended action. 1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Gabby wolf objects to serving in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) as this is an army engaged in the occupation of another people's land. In a recent letter Gabby Wolf Writes: "In the course of dialogue with all the shades of [Israel's] political spectrum and most social groups ... I understood that the State of Israel is founded on values, some of which, like its lack of separation between state and religion, and its racism, standing at the basis of the justification given for the existence of the State of Israel in its present mode, are starkly incompatible with my own values. As a result of this racism and of other factors, the State of Israel is now in the situation of occupying territories that do not belong to it and dominating the people living on these territories, denying its basic rights. ... After reading great amounts of material (including reports by Amnesty and B'Tselem), I became ever more deeply convinced that the only possibility I have to act within the limits set by my conscience is to refuse to be enlisted in the IDF. ... My position of principle, according to which any participation in the Israel Defence Forces constitutes an intolerable concession over my moral principles, remains unchanged. I am not willing to be enlisted and am prepared to bear the consequences of this refusal". Gabby Wolf was interviewed by the military Conscience Committee (a body made up exclusively of military career personnel, hearing the claims of conscientious objectors. This committee has recently admitted to be guided first and foremost by "The manpower needs of the IDF"). His request for exemption from military service was declined on the grounds that "The committee was not convinced that you [Gabby Wolf] are a pacifist". Gabby's reply to this was: "I never tried to convince anyone that I am one". CO Wolf is now being held in Military Prison No. 4 in Tzrifin After being sentenced to 14 days of imprisonment (he is due to be released on 13 April). It is expected that Wolf will return to prison after release repeatedly, until he reaches a quota of 56 days' imprisonment, which would make him liable for exemption from military service on grounds of unsuitability. It is, however, possible that a longer sentence be given to him on one of the occasions. We will update you on details as we get them ourselves. In addition, we will be glad to answer any questions we can. 2. RECOMMENDED ACTION First of all, please forward this message to other individuals, groups and organizations that you think would be willing to take part in action on behalf of CO Gabby Wolf. Also, please forward updates that will follow this message to the same list. Please have appeals written and sent ASAP calling for Gabby Wolf's immediate and unconditional release to the addresses below. Feel free to add your thoughts on the practice of imprisoning COs in general, on Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories and on other relevant issues. When writing to Gabby himself, it is recommended to use postcards, as they would arrive to him faster. Note that the commander of the military prison in which Gabby Wolf is held, although being a relatively junior official in the system, is by far the most important recipient for appeals. This is because international pressure on prison personnel is known to work wonders in preventing maltreatment and abuse in Israeli military prisons - maltreatment and abuse that are otherwise widely practiced in these facilities. Sending appeals by fax is recommended. Finally, below the signature, there is a sample appeal. You may use the text, modify it, or write your own. Following is a list of recipients for appeals and letters: Gabriel Wolf Military Personal Number 7158325 Military Prison No. 4, Military postal number 02507, IDF Israel. Commander of Military Prison No. 4, Military Prison No. 4, Military postal number 02507, IDF Israel. Fax: ++972-3-957-52-76 Chief Military Attorney, Ha-Qirya, Tel-Aviv Israel. Lt. Gen. Shaul Mofaz, IDF Chief of Staff, Ha-Qirya, Tel-Aviv, Israel. Fax: ++972-3-569-55-94 Mr. Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, Minister of Defence, Ministry of Defence, Ha-Qirya, Tel-Aviv 61909, Israel. e-mail: sar at mod.gov.il Fax: ++972-3-696-27-57 / ++972-3-691-69-40 / ++972-3-691-79-15 Mr. Ariel Sharon, Prime Minister Prime Ministers' Office, Qiriat David Ben-Gurion Jerusalem, Israel. e-mail: webmaster at pmo.gov.il Fax: ++972-2-566-48-38 / ++972-2-651-26-31 thank you for your attention and action, Sergeiy Sandler - New Profile & Conscientious Objectors in Israel. -------------- Sample letter: -------------- Dear Madam/Sir, It has recently come to my attention that a 19-year-old conscientious objector to military service by the name of Gabriel Wolf (military personal number 7158325) has been arrested on 1 April and is held in Military Prison No. 4 in Tzrifin. The imprisonment of conscientious objectors, whatever their particular beliefs, is a grievous violation of basic human rights. No such action can be tolerated in a democratic society. I call for the immediate and unconditional release of Gabriel Wolf, without threat of further imprisonment in the future. I also call upon you to cease the imprisonment of conscientious objectors to military service in Israel. Finally, I believe that in these times of crisis, Gabriel Wolf's act represents a voice to be heeded by all, as it stands for peace and for the recognition of the basic dignity of all human beings alike. Sincerely yours, ...
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