Israeli Conscientious Objector Update - Idan Halili
By New Profile*
 |
| Idan Halili |
Idan Halili is the first woman conscientious objector in Israel to publicly claim the right to resist mandatory military service, on grounds of her feminist beliefs and conscience.
The army has denied Idan’s request for a hearing before the military “conscience committee”, which is authorized to grant or deny conscientious exemptions from service.
Idan, a 19 year old Jewish Israeli woman, has written the authorities:
A strongly patriarchal institution, like the army, underlines female marginality, on the one hand, and the superiority of male-identified values on the other. … It might be said that a mood of sexual harassment is endemic to a patriarchal and hierarchical organization like the army. And so the demand that a woman enlist is tantamount to demanding that she cope with sexual harassment within an environment that encourages such harassment. Moreover, since the army is such a central institution in society, a culture of sexual harassment also is exported to and further entrenched in civic society. … I as a feminist, feel I must avoid military service and act to limit and reduce the influence of the army on civic society. … When men spend a formative period of their lives in the military they are likely to receive positive reinforcements for the use of brute power and violence, and to develop an indifferent attitude to the use of "mild" forms of violence … In an organization whose main values include superiority and control, these behaviors are likely to be encouraged in the specific professional (military) activities, but also in interpersonal relations …I cannot join an organization which, either directly or indirectly, encourages violence – of any form and kind – against women. There is, hence, a contradiction between my being a feminist and my ability to enlist. … Army service would impose a way of life on me that is deeply contrary to my values and moral beliefs. … I cannot live in such flagrant denial of my conscience …
On Tuesday morning November 15, 2005, Idan presented herself at the Israeli army's Main Induction Center near Tel Aviv. She refused to enlist for mandatory service in the Israeli army, linking conscientious objection with a feminist antimilitarist stand, and demanded to be heard by the army's so-called "conscience committee" who are authorized to grant her exemption.
She was accompanied by over 50 supporters, men and women, who distributed leaflets to the public, and explained the connection between the Occupation, militarism and sexism in Israeli society. Some of the signs held by supporters read: "We won't serve the patriarchy"; "The army teaches chauvinism"; "Feminists don't serve sexism"; "We're women who refuse to be enemies", and "The army imprisons conscience". Slogans called out included: "Not a fighter, not a clerk, army harasses girls"; "Won't serve coffee, won't be fly copters, no, no I won't go".
New Profile, the Shministim, the Feminist Women’s House and the Refusers’ Parents’ Forum call on Israeli authorities to uphold Idan Halili’s human right to freedom of feminist conscience. In addition, we call on feminist, anti-militarist and anti-war groups and individuals, in Israel and abroad, to join us in demanding that Israel recognize feminist conscience. We appreciate your support for this effort, whether financial or through action.
Please address your letters, emails or (preferably) faxes to:
Mr. Shaul Mofaz,
Minister of Defence,
Ministry of Defence,
37 Kaplan St.,
Tel-Aviv 61909, Israel
E-mail: sar@mod.gov.il or pniot@mod.gov.il
Fax: ++972-3-696-27-57 / ++972-3-691-69-40
Chief Military Attorney
Military postal code 9605, IDF
Israel
Fax: ++972-3-569-43-70
Commander of Induction Base,
Baqum, Tel-HaShomer
Military Postal Code 02718, IDF
Israel
Fax: ++972-3-737-60-52
* New Profile is
an Israeli feminist organization which supports conscientious objectors and raises questions about the influence the deep roots of militarism on Israeli society. To learn more about their work please see: http://www.newprofile.org/.
^ Top of page |
Email this page