Public Comment

Israeli Refusenicks

Jagjit Singh
Thursday January 15, 2015 - 05:45:00 PM

In an act of enormous courage, more and more Israelis are refusing to perform their mandatory service in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Many of those who refuse are subject to opprobrium and portrayed as treacherous. Mimicking the playbook of former President Bush – “you are either with us or against us” a popular bumper sticker reads “A real Israeli doesn’t dodge the draft.”

The strong reaction of the government is indicative that their tight control of young Israelis is weakening. Open letters of ‘refusenicks” were published by a group of high schoolers, veterans of the intelligence Unit 8200, alumni and former staff members of the highly prestigious Israel Arts and Sciences Academy. 

Predictably, aggression towards those who refuse to be drafted is widespread. As one prominent activist Ms. Rotem, remarked “Israeli patriotism today means resisting anything which frames the occupation as normal.” Even ultra-orthodox, Haredi’s, such as Uriel Ferera, stated that the occupation was their primary reasons for their refusal. 

Many other “gray refusers” in the thousands, find more subtle ways to avoid the draft by siting mental health exemptions, known as a “Profile 21.” Most who refuse the draft will lose educational opportunities and housing. 

The voices are becoming louder and louder to end the occupation. The Israeli author, Amos Oz, urged politicians to act as “traitors,” and make peace. Let us hope sanity prevails and the occupation is soon ended and the siege of Gaza is lifted.