"Every day troops commit crimes in the occupied
territories," one of the five men, Haggai Matar, told reporters
at Jaffa Military Court, referring to Israeli military actions
in Palestinian territories. "While we go to the stockade, they
remain free."
A military prosecutor said the five had been found guilty
of gross insubordination after disobeying orders to report for
three years' compulsory military service in 2002.
"They rejected service in the Israel Defense Force, but the
decision stemmed from their express refusal to serve in the
territories," Captain Yaron Kosteliz told Reuters.
"No army would let conscripts pick and choose on the basis
of their political leanings," he said, adding that it was the
first time Israel had jailed conscientious objectors since
1980.
The defendants, all men aged 20, promised more of the same,
citing the growing number of military personnel refusing to
serve.
Last month, 13 reservists from Israel's top commando unit
said they would not take part in operations in the West Bank
and Gaza Strip -- their petition echoing a similar one
submitted in September by 27 reserve and retired air force
combat pilots.
The protests by Israel's best and brightest sent ripples
through the conscript force, which many would-be draftees
already avoid serving in by pleading medical incapacity or
religious objections.
"Ethical people will follow in our footsteps. The coming
months will see other conscientious objectors like us
undergoing this process," defendant Shimri Tzameret said.
Kosteliz said the five would begin serving their sentence
on Wednesday, but had the right of appeal. Their lawyer was not
available for comment.
Under Israeli law, prison terms do not count as part of
national service. Kosteliz said that after their release, the
five could seek a discharge on the basis of "incompatibility"
with the military regimen.
