General

The Refuzniks – a tiny hope for peace in the Middle East?

By Milena
Rampoldi, ProMosaik. In the following my interview with the pro-Palestinian
activist Olivia Zemor of Europalestine about Israeli Refuzniks. In my opinion,
this tiny group can change the militarist and colonialist system in the State
of Israel from inside. 
 

Who are the
Refuzniks and from where does this term come from?
Today, the
term Refuznik is used to define the young Israelis who refuse to serve in the
occupation army of their country and declare this in public (while many others
try to avoid the military service by leaving the country and without
proclaiming their refusal in public).
The term
comes from Russian (Otkaznik: “отказник” which derives from the
substantive “отказ” meaning refusal, opposition). In the past, Refuzniks were
the people who were denied their visa by Soviet authorities. In this case, the
term refers to Soviet Jews in particular (even if not all Soviet Refuzniks were
Jews).  
Why are the
Refuzniks important to promote a change within Israeli society?
The Israeli
Refuzniks are very few, and they know that their number does not suffice to empower
a real change in Israeli society. However, they have to be recognised as brave
opponents who prefer remaining in custody for a couple of weeks or months
instead of going against their conscience.
There are
such a few Refuzniks because only very few Israelis who have been indoctrinated
since their childhood by patriotic and victimhood propaganda (“we or them”) are
able to distance from it and from the hatred and rubble-rousing against Arabs.
Which are
the typical steps in a Refuznik’s life?
At the date
of her/his calling up to the Israeli military service, the Refuznik declares
that she/he does not want to serve in the Israeli occupation army and declares
this in public. She/he asks for recognition as conscientious objector in Israel
where this status does not exist.
First, the
Refuzniks are condemned to a first time in prison of normally three weeks. Then
they are brought to senior military officers who ask them to justify
themselves. In general, their justifications and motivations are not accepted,
and the Refuzniks go back to prison for another couple of weeks. This period in
prison can be repeated several times.
How many Refuzniks
are there, and who supports them?
The Refuzniks
are between 1 and 3 per year being imprisoned at the same time. We know a
couple of dozens of them.
They are
supported by the Israeli association Masarvot.
Since a couple of years, the majority of the Refuzniks have been women.
Why?  
 
Perhaps men –
more than women – worry about being defamed as weak and as traitors to their
country. Probably women are also more sensitive to any form of violence in
Israeli society, perceived by them as the consequence of illegal occupation, its
brutality, and its dehumanizing characteristics.
How can we
support the Refuznik movement from abroad?
It is
essential to support the Refuzniks to show that all Jews and all Israeli do not
automatically support Israeli politics.
We have to
talk about them, publish their photos, write to them, compliment and encourage
them. We can also help them financially because they make important, financial sacrifices
by renouncing to all the advantages related to military service (study grants, student
housing…)
Many
Refuzniks call for the boycott against Israel. So, if we support them, we will
automatically extend the international BDS campaign.