Netta Lannes Arbel, 24 year-old from Emek Hefer, who refused to reenlist in the Israeli army in Ir HaBahadim Camp in southern Israel on December 29, was tried today for 8 days in military detention for his refusal. Lannes Arbel is a member of the Atuda Program of the IDF, which allows soldiers to get an academic degree outside of the army after one year of service. They are then requested to return to the Army after completing their studies. Lannes Arbel has already served one year in the Army’s medical corps during the Covid-19 pandemic but has decided afterwards, during his studies, to refuse reenlistment in protest of the Israeli army’s brutal violence toward the Palestinian people in Gaza and in the West Bank, and the increased militarism in Israeli society.
After arriving in Ir Habahadim camp on December 29th, accompanied by Mesarvot activists and MK Ofer Cassif (Hadash), Lannes Arbel entered the military camp where he was suppose to serve and announced his refusal. Military officials attempted to persuade him to give up and reenlist, but he insisted that his ethical choice could not be changed, and eventually, a military commander tried and sentenced him to 8 days in prison. He is expected to be tried repeatedly for his refusal.
From his refusal statement: “From the beginning of my contact with the Israeli military system, I’ve intended to practice medicine – to help, save, and treat those who have been harmed rather than harm anyone further. This past year has made clear to me that such actions cannot be done in earnest within military service, for they will be used by the army to further enable the continuation of war, of violence, of ethnic cleansing, of trampling on human rights and human dignity. The more well-intentioned people try to prop up the system, the longer they’ll uphold the lies and justifications that allow mass killings to continue.
I refuse to close my eyes, to excuse or justify these horrific crimes. I refuse to back them or allow their continuation in my name. I truly believe the only way to promote a reality of peace, co-existence, mutual understanding and the upholding of human rights is to shatter the legitimacy and credibility of the military system. I don’t see a world where peace and security can exist – for both Jews and Palestinians – while they are only maintained behind the barrel of a gun.”
