Israeli Government Targets Feminist Group

Members of New Profile, a group of feminist women and men challenging the militarization of Israeli society have recently been targeted by the Israeli government. Their computers have been confiscated and they have been interrogated. They had to ti sign a statement stipulating that they would not contact their political friend for 30 days to be released. These members have been wrongfully accused of causing young men and women like the shministim to decide against enlisting in the Israeli army This charge is false. The members of new profile do not tell young people not to enlist. They provide support for young people who decide against enlisting. These might be pacifists, those against the Israeli occupation or those who make this choice for other reasons. New Profile informs these young men and women of their rights and gives them legals support when necessary. Israel does not acknowledge the basic human right to conscientious objection when it comes to military service The shministim is a group that formed consisting of Jewish high school students that decided they would not serve in the Israeli army and help to occupy another people. International pressure was very helpful in causing the Israeli government to release these people. International pressure can be used again to help the members of new profile. New Profile made this statement: “These recent acts confirm what we have been contending for many years: the militarism of society in Israel harms the sacred principles of democracy, freedom of expression and freedom of political association. One who believed that until now criminal files were conjured up “only” for Arab citizens of Israel saw this morning that none of us can be certain that s/he can freely express an opinion concerning the failures of society and rule in Israel.” Click below to sign a petition: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/301/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27127

<p>Members of New Profile, a group of feminist women and men challenging the militarization of Israeli society have recently been targeted by the Israeli government. Their computers have been confiscated and they have been interrogated. They had to ti sign a statement stipulating that they would not contact their political friend for 30 days to be released.</p> <p>These members have been wrongfully accused of causing young men and women like the shministim to decide against enlisting in the Israeli army This charge is false. The members of new profile do not tell young people not to enlist. They provide support for young people who decide against enlisting. These might be pacifists, those against the Israeli occupation or those who make this choice for other reasons. New Profile informs these young men and women of their rights and gives them legals support when necessary. Israel does not acknowledge the basic human right to conscientious objection when it comes to military service</p> <p>The shministim is a group that formed consisting of Jewish high school students that decided they would not serve in the Israeli army and help to occupy another people. International pressure was very helpful in causing the Israeli government to release these people. International pressure can be used again to help the members of new profile.</p> <p>New Profile made this statement: “These recent acts confirm what we have been contending for many years: the militarism of society in Israel harms the sacred principles of democracy, freedom of expression and freedom of political association. One who believed that until now criminal files were conjured up “only” for Arab citizens of Israel saw this morning that none of us can be certain that s/he can freely express an opinion concerning the failures of society and rule in Israel.”</p> <p>Click below to sign a petition:<br /> <a href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/301/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27127">http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/301/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27127</a></p>