Israeli teenagers refuse to join the occupation army join Bil'in Palestinian protesters

http://www.bilin-ffj.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=202&Itemid=1

Call to the supporters, Bil'in

At our demonstration next week, Friday, 23 October 2009, we will be joined by members of Shministim (meaning "12th graders" in Hebrew), the Israeli organization of teenagers who refuse to join the occupation army, and who accept prison sentences for their refusal.

We are sending out this call to all of you who are supporting our struggle against the military occupation asking you to join us for this important demonstration to salute the Shministim, to show our support for their cause, and to continue our work together against the Israeli occupation.

We hope to see you in large numbers and thank you in advance for your solidarity.

Meeting of Shministim members with , Bil'in Popular Committee on 13 October 2009

Present:
Iyad Bornat (Head Bil'in Popular Committee)
Haitham al-Khatib (Bil'in Popular Committee)
Hamde Abu Rahma (Bil'in Popular Committee)
Or Ben David (Shministim)
Emelia Marcovich (Shministim)

Today, two members of Shministim, the Israeli organization of teenagers who refuse to serve in the Israeli Army, Or Ben David and Emelia Marcovich, met with the Head of the Bil'in Popular Committee, Iyad Bornat. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ideas for the Friday demonstration of 23 October 2009, which will be dedicated to the Shministim, to salute them and to continue to work together with the people of Bil'in.

Or mentions that she, together with other members of Shministim, have been coming to Bil'in many times on Fridays to protest against the Apartheid Wall alongside Palestinians and international and Israeli activists. She says that the Shministim members feel that they and the Palestinians are friends. Bil'in makes them feel like home and shows them that they can really talk to Palestinians contrary to the common belief among Israeli society that all Palestinians are terrorists and must be feared. Instead, Palestinians are human beings who are leading normal lives like the Israeli people.

For this reason, Or and Emelia decided to come today to meet with Iyad to brainstorm the planned demonstration of 23 October 2009. While Or will have to go to prison this coming Thursday for refusing to serve in the Army and will not be able to physically be at the demo, Emelia, on the other hand, will be joining the demonstration. Her prison term will start somewhat later.

Or and Emelia will also be sending out an email to all young people in Israel calling on them that they have the choice to refuse to serve in the occupation forces.

Both said that they feel good being in the West Bank in the company of Palestinians

Thank you for you continued support,

Iyad Burnat- Head of Popular Commitee in Bilin
co-founder of Friends of Freedom and Justice - Bilin

Email- bel3in@yahoo.com

www.bilin-ffj.org