Israel army returns conscientious objector to jail for 30 days

The Israeli army has jailed a conscientious objector for 30 days over her refusal to enlist.

According to a report in +972 Magazine, this will be Noa Gur Golan’s fourth stint in military prison, at the end of which she will have served 104 days for refusing to take part in the occupation.

Prior to her appearance before the military committee responsible for her sentencing, Gur Golan posted the following status on her Facebook page: “Anyone who has gotten to know me recently knows that public refusal, and in general going to prison, is the last thing I thought would happen. I honestly thought that I would walk into the committee, regardless of how threatening it was, and would find my way into the hearts of the four aggressive men who sat there (and one woman who didn’t say a word), and if not the first time, then the second time. And if not the second time then when I ask to see the committee the third time…”

I will go back for the fourth time, because even when the barbed wires look threatening, and they remind me that I am in prison, I know I did the right thing. I know that if I was given the privilege and the strength to say no, I know that I was given a responsibility, and I will fulfil it.

Two other conscientious objectors are reportedly set to be returned to military prison including Hadas Tal, 18, has already served a total of 50 days for refusing to serve in the occupied territories and take part in the occupation.

+972 Magazine reports that the second is Ofir Averbuch, 18, “who has sat for five months in prison and will likely serve another term”.

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