A brief article from Ha’aretz on the latest developments regarding COs. The army’s statement gives unique insight into the bureaucratic mindset:
“The point of departure is the duty to serve. If someone comes and says he’s not suited to serve, he doesn’t deserve a prize. Let him sit in prison and think it over, let him formulate very persuasive arguments for why he shouldn’t serve. The fact is that many others received an exemption up front on the basis of pacifist arguments, legally.”
Of course, this ignores the fact that 45% of Israeli youth don’t serve without spending one day in jail. It also ignores the fact that being a CO is a human right not a privilege. And we all know the meaning of the “duty to serve”.
