Protesting the draft
'Youngsters willing to go to jail'
Dozens demonstrate at entrance to military induction center in support of 12th graders' refusal to enlist
TEL AVIV - Two would-be IDF inductees are planning Tuesday morning to refuse induction at the IDF Induction Center at Tel Hashomer.
Eyal Barami, a signatory on last week's public letter by a group of high school seniors refusing the draft, said he would refuse to join the IDF, which he calls an "occupation army".
"When I get to the induction center, I will say 'goodbye, I am not prepared to serve the occupation'," he said.
Unlike other youngsters turning up at the induction center with duffle bags full of basic training equipment, Barami and friend Alex Kin - also a signatory to last week's letter - prepared their belongings for a sojourn behind bars.
Support Protest
Some 30 supporters, whose names also appear on the letter, are currently protesting at the entrance of the induction center at Tel Hashomer outside Tel Aviv.
Kin told Ynet he feels he is about to undergo a major change.
Insubordination
By Hanan Greenberg and Moran Zelikovich
A group of 250 highschoolers signs letter of refusal to be drafted “because of the occupation.”
He added that his main goal is to increase public awareness to the occupation and its implications on both Israeli and Palestinian societies.
Berman's friend too said he was prepared to take the punishment that comes with breaking the law.
"Today I will be asked to enlist and I will refuse," he said. "I am aware of the punishment and will take it, not with a smile and not happily, but I will take it."
He added that he is proud to belong to the group of young people who are refusing the draft, and he is proud of the example it sets to other youngsters "living under the rule of occupation".
'Not easy for parents'
Parents of future and released soldiers also turned up outside the induction center Monday, as well as soldiers recently released from military prison for insubordination.
Esti Zaal, the mother of Daniel Zaal, came to show her support of other parents and their sons.
"We came to give our support, this is not easy for parents," she said .
"Not all parents agree with the act of refusal, but at the end of the day we have to support our children," she said.
