Jailed Israeli Conscientious Objector Starts Hunger Strike

NONVIOLENCE, 3 Nov 2014

Yael Marom - +972 Magazine

Udi Segal, who refuses to enlist in the IDF due to its human rights violations in the occupied territories, declares he will go on hunger strike until his release from military prison.

Udi Segal (right) arrives with a supporter at Tel Hashomer army base. The sign reads: ‘Refuseniks against the occupation.’  (photo: Refusenik’s Against Enlistment)

Udi Segal (right) arrives with a supporter at Tel Hashomer army base. The sign reads: ‘Refuseniks against the occupation.’ (photo: Refusenik’s Against Enlistment)

Israeli conscientious objector Udi Segal, who announced his refusal to join the Israeli army three months ago, was sentenced to his fifth prison term on Thursday. Prior to his sentencing, Segal announced that he would begin a hunger strike until he is released from the IDF. Segal released a statement explaining the motivation behind his strike:

Three months ago, on my conscription date, I announced that I am unwilling to serve in the army for ideological reasons. Since then I was imprisoned four times. I sat 50 days in prison.

Tomorrow I will be sentenced for the fifth time and sent to prison again. Because of my repeated imprisonment, the continuing deprivation of my freedom, I decided to start a hunger strike until I am released from the army.

I refused because serving in the army contributes to an oppressive system, to which the army is an executive branch. I will not take part in the denial of the liberties of Palestinians.

I will not contribute to a situation in which four million Palestinians live in territories under a regime they did not elect, a regime which is oppressing me too. I consider my refusal as an act of solidarity with all those the Israeli regime hurt, both in Israel and the Occupied Territories.

I went to a Jewish-Arab school for eight years. Towards my conscription date, I realized that if I join the army I am throwing away everything I was taught in school, this whole attempt to create coexistence. Coexistence and occupation are things that can’t go together.

Segal arrived at the Tel Hashomer base in central Israel on Friday morning, where he once again declared his hunger strike, as well as his refusal to serve in the army. Segal was sentenced to 10 days in military jail.

Hunger striking is the only tool of nonviolent protest allowed for prisoners. Segal, like prisoners across the world, has chosen to put his own health at risk as part of his political struggle for freedom.

Over the past several years, the hunger strike has been used by Palestinian prisoners as an act of protest against both administrative detention and prison conditions in Israel. The act of hunger striking presents a serious challenge to the Israel Prison Service and the state itself. Over the past year, the government sought to pass a law that would allow the force-feeding of hunger-striking prisoners, which goes against the stance of the Israel Medical Association. The proposed law ignited controversy, but has disappeared from the agenda for the time being.

Uriel Ferera walking out of military jail after serving his first sentence. (photo: Ruty Ferera)

Uriel Ferera walking out of military jail after serving his first sentence. (photo: Ruty Ferera)

Segal is not the only conscientious objector in military jail. Uriel Ferera, who refused to serve due to the occupation and the discrimination against Palestinian citizens of Israel, is currently serving his ninth sentence in military prison.

___________________________

Yael Marom is an editor at Local Call. This article was first published on +972′s Hebrew-language sister site, Local Call. Read it in Hebrew here.

Related:

WATCH: Israeli teen refuses to serve in army, likely to face jail time
‘God can’t hear you’: Orthodox draft refuser’s first night in prison
Druze conscientious objector hospitalized with liver infection

Go to Original – 972mag.com

 

Share this article:


DISCLAIMER: The statements, views and opinions expressed in pieces republished here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of TMS. In accordance with title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. TMS has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is TMS endorsed or sponsored by the originator. “GO TO ORIGINAL” links are provided as a convenience to our readers and allow for verification of authenticity. However, as originating pages are often updated by their originating host sites, the versions posted may not match the versions our readers view when clicking the “GO TO ORIGINAL” links. This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.


Comments are closed.