Refuzniks | Seb Leban

Middle-East

REFUZNIKS

Each year in Israel, a few dozen of citizen refuse to serve Tsahal, the israeli army. Teenagers facing the mandatory 3-years service, reserve or active soldiers, the Refuzniks stand against the army mostly for ideological purposes and in favor ot the one cause that bring them together : to denounce the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

GUY, 18

"I come from a family of entrepreneurs, very well off and Ashkenazi. I grew up in Savyon, where we create what society considers best, socially and economically. To refuse was very difficult. It was a bit like a coming out, especially in the environment I come from. But I am aware that it is a privilege because I received an education and political awareness that allowed me to make that choice. My parents took a long time to understand my decision but ended up supporting me. I do not sit at home refusing, I live it day by day. I decided to engage in a civil service with a NGO "