Más sobre "refusaniks"

He escrito un mail a Ben Artzi, en primera para expresar mi opinión acerca de su actitud respecto al militarismo en Israel(la cual apoyo totalmente,ya no hay respeto, como diría mi abuelita), la respuesta ha sido buena: datos generales y un link, con otros casos similares al de Jonathan.

Así las cosas primero el link: www.refuz.org.il (lo único que hay que hacer es firmar la petición)

Y la siguiente información, más detallada, acerca del proceso que Ben Artzi ha enfrentado durante todo este tiempo:

Jonathan Ben-Artzi – Basic Information

1. Biography
Born December 1982 (Hanukkah). On the side of both grandmothers, Yoni belongs to old families – Salomon and Paritzky – 8-9 generations, 200 years, in Palestine. Both his grandfathers were born in Central Europe. One immigrated in 1933, and the other, a fugitive of WWII, immigrated in 1944. Both fought in the 1948 War. Matania and Ofra (his parents) grew up in Northern Israel, started a family in Haifa, and moved to Jerusalem 14 years ago. Yoni has one brother and one sister, both 10 years older than him. Both served in Elite technological Army units. Today they are both finishing their Ph.D.'s in the USA. Yoni is receiving great support from them. His sister, Ruti, testified in his trial. At least once a week we speak on the phone, mostly on Yoni's case.

2. The Confrontation With The Army
a) Until Conscription Date
i. Yoni did not cooperate with any pre-army activity in high school or anywhere else. He informed army authorities of his pacifism after receiving the first call. After speaking with commander of the Jerusalem Conscription Unit, Yoni was directed to a "Conscience Committee".
ii. First Conscience Committee – May 2000 – Postpone conscription by one year.
iii. Second Conscience Committee – June 2001 – Rejection.
iv. First appeal to Supreme Court – Summer 2001 – outcome: Sent again to committee, represented by lawyer, with witnesses, etc.
v. Third Conscience Committee – November 2001 – Rejection.
vi. Second appeal to Supreme Court – regarding the outcome of the committee and its irrationality. Rejection
vii. Outcome: Yoni receives a draft notice and date for August 8, 2002.


b) Imprisonment
i. Aug. 8 2002 – Feb. 16 2003: During this period Yoni arrived at the IDF Induction Center, refused to enlist, was arrested, and sentenced to a month in Military Prison #4. This scenario repeated itself 7 times. The seventh sentencing was done by Gen. Gil Regev, head of IDF Manpower, who sentenced Yoni for 35 days after talking with him.
ii. Feb. 17 2003: When Yoni returned the 8th time to the Induction Center, he was arrested and entered a process of Court-Martial. Since that date, until January 8th 2004, he was kept in "Open Detention" in a military base in Northern Israel.
iii. March 2003 – Appeal to Supreme Court – asking to transfer the criminal proceeding from a military Court-Martial, to a civilian court. Decision: Three judges, headed by Aharon Barak, rejected the appeal, claiming that both systems (civil and military) are equal. They added that from both systems Yoni can reach, by way of appeals, the Supreme Court.
iv. Nov. 12 2003: Verdict – technical conviction: Yoni was found guilty of failing to obey an order (the order was to "join the military"…), but was fully declared by the court as a true and honest pacifist. As well, the judges recommended the case to be re-reviewed by the IDF Conscience Committee.
v. Jan. 8 2004: IDF Decides to adopt recommendation, and sends Yoni to another (fourth) Conscience Committee. Yoni is released from detention.

c) Decision By Military Court
i. Feb. 4 2004: Fourth Conscience Committee convenes.
ii. Feb. 17 2004: The Conscience Committee sends its decision: no clear decision regarding Yoni's conscience, however a recommendation is given to release Yoni from service on grounds of "unfitness". The decision attempts to make a character assassination of Yoni.
iii. Feb. 19 2004: In a fax sent late in the evening, Brig. Gen. Avi Zamir, Head of Army Manpower Planning and Management, informs Yoni that he exempts him because of "lack of motivation".
iv. March 24 2004: Sentencing – after hearing both sides, the judge tries to pressure Yoni into doing "Military Service", which is the IDF's equivalent of Community Service. Needless to say, Yoni rejects this offer.
v. April 1 2004: Adv. Michael Sfard, on Yoni's behalf, files an appeal to the Supreme Court (as a High Court of Justice) to over-turn the conscience committee's decision.
vi. April 21 2004: Judge's final decision: Sentences Yoni to two months in military prison + 2000 NIS (approx. US$500). If the fine will not be paid, it will be replaced by an additional two months in prison. Yoni, together with Adv. Michael Sfard, decide to appeal the decision. There is a stay of execution pending final decision.
vii. July 9 2004: Appeal will be heard by Military Court of Appeals by an expanded panel of five judges, of which four are generals.