Young Israelis once again band together to declare their refusal to join the IDF and "take part in the policy of occupation and oppression." Several dozen youths signed the "Shministim [12th Graders] Letter", telling the PM, Defence Minister and
Education Minister that "We appreciate the importance of socially useful work and want to engage in it -- but not to be part of a militaristic system which is crushing civil rights and violating International Law".
In August and early September, the call-up dates came for three members of the group -- Udi Nir, Avichai Vaknin and Sahar Vardi. The last two went to the recruitment bureau -- and from there to prison -- accompanied by a supporting crowd of youths.
Udi Nir let a detachment of the military police fetch him from home. As we go into press, the dates for three more youngsters are due on Sept. 23.
The army is also greatly concerned with a much bigger phenomenon -- of youths avoiding the army by a psychiatric discharge ("Profile 21", i.e. the medical profile indicating "mentally unfit").
A "Public Campaign Against Shirkers and Dodgers" was proclaimed by Defence Minister Barak and picked up by the mass-circulation Yediot Aharonot. Several mayors announced their decision not to invite to perform in their cities anymore "artists who
didn't serve in the army".
This campaign is now targeting the outspoken anti-militarist organization "New Profile", against which a police investigation was launched "on suspicion of incitement to the shirking of military service".
"Like everybody we have seen the banner headlines about this investigation, but in fact none of us was as yet summoned" activist Tali Lerner told TOI. "We have nothing to hide or be ashamed of. We support people who don't want to serve in the army,
the Shministim and also less articulate people. We have a counseling network, telling young people how to use completely legal ways which the army does not want them to know about."
Contact: shministim@gmail.com, http://www.newprofile.org
