Telegraph.co.uk<
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This happened in 2003 and I can't find any update, yet. But, I thought it is relevant because of the gaza assault.
I'm sure there are MANY more refuseniks because of the civilian population being pinned down there.
A nephew of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's finance minister and former prime minister, faces a three-year prison sentence for refusing to serve in
the army.
Jonathan Ben-Artzi, 19, has served seven months in a military jail after being given consecutive sentences of up to 31 days at a time. Army officials
are now summoning him to appear at a court martial, which has harsher sentencing powers, on Tuesday......
Jonathan Ben-Artzi is a 'refusenik' as are many others.
There is no draft.
ALL able-bodied men and women are forced to serve in the army, unless they are in orthodox religious schools.
Many refuse because of abuse of civilians, even children.
Refusenik Yonatan Shapira; targeting civilians;
Mr. Ben-Artzi said;
"Because of my beliefs, my own country is going to imprison me, in defiance of international laws, basic moral values and fundamental human
rights," Mr Ben-Artzi said in a statement to the Israeli Defence Force.
The case has become a cause celebre in Israel because Mr Netanyahu's wife, Sara, is Mr Ben-Artzi's aunt and it may set a legal precedent
regarding an individual's right to be exempted from military service in Israel.
Mr Ben-Artzi's lawyers plan to plead for his release on the grounds that he is a conscientious objector and should be exempt from compulsory military
duty.
Maybe, this has changed the way exemptions are classified and allow for more dialogue.
Does anyone have an update on this?
