Shahar Perets an Israeli woman, was jailed three times for refusing to join the Army.
Last week, a young Jewish ultra-orthodox Israeli man asked for leave to remain in the UK because he feared being imprisoned as a deserter from the military if he returned to his home country.
The unusual case has shone a light on the issue of conscientious objectors in Israel.
Most Jewish Israelis do compulsory military service for at least two years. However, every year a small number take an ideological stance to oppose their conscription and end up in military prison. Shahar Perets is one of them.
Commenting via NewsBreak, ChinaJoe&WilliesHo, says “I think everyone should serve, especially here in 🇺🇸. Instead of wasting money on college, serve two years and learn a trade. Make Peace Corp an option if they don’t want military, just do something.”
Jackie Hare responded saying, “You don’t just join the peace corp… You have to pay them to become a part of their organization. It is 100 percent private. Do your research before spouting off things you know nothing of.
But June Silverman says;
“A conscientious objector is an “individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service” on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, or religion. In some countries, conscientious objectors are assigned to an alternative civilian service as a substitute for conscription or military service. On March 8, 1995, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights resolution 1995/83 stated that “persons performing military service should not be excluded from the right to have conscientious objections to military service”. This was re-affirmed in 1998, when resolution 1998/77 recognized that “persons [already] performing military service may develop conscientious objections”. A number of organizations around the world celebrate the principle on May 15 as International Conscientious Objection Day. The term has also been extended to objecting to working for the military–industrial complex due to a crisis of conscience.”
Most Jewish Israelis do military service. But a small number, like Shahar, take an ideological stance.
