ISRAEL: Conscientious objector Or Ben-David sentenced to third prison term

After completing her second prison term, Or Ben-David, of the 2009-2010 high school seniors letter of refusal, was sentenced on 15 December to 34 more days in the military prison for women (no. 400) in Tzrifin. This is her third term in prison and the fourth time she has been tried and sentenced for her refusal to enlist.
After her second prison term, Or Ben-David did not return to the induction centre for two weeks. So the new sentence of 34 days is broken down into 20 days for refusing to enlist and 14 days for her absence of two weeks.
She was first sentenced to seven days of confinement to base given on the evening of 22 October (see co-alert, 23 October 2009), then sentenced to a first term of 20 days on 29 October (see co-alert, 30 October 2009), and sentenced again to 20 days on 16 November (see co-alert, 17 November 2009).

Or Ben-David originally requested to appear before the so-called "Conscience Committee" (an internal military committee reviewing requests for exemption from military service on grounds of conscience in Isarel), but was never summoned to appear before it.

She is due to be released from prison on 14 January 2010 and is likely to be imprisoned again soon afterwards.

War Resisters' International calls for letters of support to Or Ben-David:
Or Ben-David
Military ID 6054025
Military Prison No. 400
Military Postal Code 02447, IDF
Israel
Fax: +972-3-9579389

Since the prison authorities often block mail from reaching imprisoned objectors, we also recommend you to send them your letters of support and encouragement via e-mail to shministim10@gmail.com, and they will be printed out and delivered during visits.

War Resisters' International calls for letters of protest to the Israeli authorities, and Israeli embassies abroad. An email letter to Israels Minister of Defence Ehud Barak can be sent at http://wri-irg.org/node/9439.

War Resisters' International calls for the immediate release of conscientious objector Or Ben-David, and all other imprisoned conscientious objectors.

Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International