ISRAEL: Woman conscientious objector Mia Tamarin sentenced to a further 14 days in prison

On 2 December, Israeli woman CO Mia Tamarin was sentenced to a further prison sentence of 14 days for refusing to enlist. This is her fourth prison term since 28 September 2008 (see co-alert, 29 September 2008).

In her declaration of refusal, Mia Tamarin wrote: "I have no doubt that I should be serving my country, I have been doing so in many ways from a very young age, and intend of course to continue doing so, not out of compulsion but fully and truly of my own will. I cannot become part of an organization the purpose of which is to fend off violence by violence, because it stands unequivocally contrary to everything I believe in and to my whole life. There always is another, non-violent option, and it is this option that I choose."

War Resisters' International calls for letters of support to Mia Tamarin:

Mia Tamarin

Military ID 5399776

Military Prison No 400

Military Postal Code 02447, IDF

Israel

Fax: +972-3-9579389

War Resisters' International calls for letters of protest to the Israeli authorities, and Israeli embassies abroad. An email letter can to Israels Minister of Defence Ehud Barak can be sent at /node/6146

.

Please send a copy of your letter to the Shministim (High School Seniors), who plan to use them in a demonstration. Please send copies to: Salon Mazal, Salame 50, Tel Aviv, Israel.

War Resisters' International calls for the immediate release of conscientious objector Mia Tamarin, and all other imprisoned conscientious objectors.

Andreas Speck

War Resisters' International