ISRAEL: Refusers Atalia, Tamar and Tamar imprisoned again!
Send your protest emails to the Israeli authorities here.
"Our present reality needs to be changed, and my refusal is my way to change it"
In her declaration, Atalia, who has already spent 20 days behind bars and is currently spending 30 more following the final court decision, states:
My social responsibility as a stakeholder in our society is important to me. The people living here are important to me, all of the people living here, and it's my responsibility and the responsibility of all of us to act for a better life here. My refusal to be drafted doesn't come out of a renunciation of this responsibility, but out of the understanding that our present reality needs to be changed, and that my refusal is my way to change it...
I spoke once to a Palestinian activist who described the first time he met Israelis. All he saw, as a kid, were foreign soldiers, speaking a language he doesn't understand, entering his village and demolishing houses. He feared them and was angry. Only years later he met Israelis who showed him another side. Hearing him made me understand the endless cycle we're in – violence begets violence, there's no solution in this way. Cooperation with Palestinians enables us to create a relationship that paves the way to peace and proves that there is a chance for partnership between the two sides for a better future.
Along with Atalia, Tamar Ze’evi and Tamar Alon have also repeated their refusal and sentenced to 30 days each. This will add to 97 and 100 days each has already spent behind bars in total respectively.
Read Tamar Ze'evi's declaration here.
Read Tamar Alon's declaration here.
Solidarity
As well as filling in our email alert you can also send your emails of support to Atalia, Tamar and Tamar. Use this link to write them and your messages will be passed on.
You can also write to Israel's embassies abroad. Find a list of these here.
War Resisters' International calls for the immediate release of all conscientious objectors.