Earlier this week we shared with you Yuval Dag’s refusal statement in which he shared his experience of self-reflection and awakening that led him to his decision to refuse to enlist in mandatory army service. In his statement he declared:
“Today, more than ever, it is becoming clear to the general public how closely Israel and its policies are connected to violence and to the occupation of the Palestinian territories. [....] Resistance begins, first of all, with self-reflection and understanding. With the understanding that by wearing a uniform and symbols of a certain body, you choose to represent that body. With the understanding that enlisting in the army is a political choice, and its meaning is to support the military and political agenda, and to take part in it. [....] I refuse to give my body and my life to any system, for any country, and in the current situation, especially not to the state of Israel and the Israeli military.”
On Monday, Yuval arrived at an Israeli military enlistment center and declared his refusal to enlist. He was accompanied by a group of Mesarvot’s activists (Israeli support network for occupation refusers) that held up signs in protest of the occupation. After stating his refusal to enlist to military authorities he was arrested and sent to trial. Yuval received a sentence of 10 days in military prison, where he is currently kept.
We support Yuval in taking an active stand against the occupation and refusing to be even a small cog in a ruthless oppressive system.
In this historic period where thousands of Israelis are protesting on the street and refuse to serve the establishment of a dictatorship by the Israeli government within the green line, Yuval’s personal act of protest is important to show the mainstream Israeli public the connection between the settler-led Israeli government’s power grab and the war crimes of the occupation. Help us amplify his voice - share his statement through this link on Facebook and ask two of your friends to share it as well. With your help we have the power to make a difference. Let's spread this message as far as we can.
In solidarity,
RSN team