Madam, - We are writing from an international academic conference on "A Just Peace in Israel-Palestine" being held in Jerusalem. Our conference was interrupted for us to learn that five young men who have refused to serve in the Israeli defence force while it is an army of occupation have been sentenced to a year in prison. This is on top of the year they have already served while awaiting trial.
The Jaffa Military Court rejected their claims of conscientious objection, even though freedom of conscience is part of Israel's Basic Laws.
In the past 30 years no country calling itself a democracy has handed out such a sentence to conscientious objectors. The sentence represents a major escalation by the Israeli state in seeking to crush internal Jewish dissent to the policy of occupation.
The Israeli government needs to know that both Jews and non-Jews outside Israel are appalled at this denial of civil liberties and freedom of conscience to young people who are very willing to engage in civilian service, but could not face themselves if they participated in what they believe is an army of occupation. - Yours, etc.,
NAOMI WAYNE,
Prof IRENE BRUEGEL,
Jews for Justice
for Palestinians,
London SE13.