Politics | September 17, 2008 | Comment on this video (19)

Fighting For Your Beliefs

Sarah_M
Turning eighteen in Israel means growing up very quickly and becoming a soldier. Two Israeli teenagers have very different views about military service in their country. Both of them have to fight for their beliefs.
Omri is part of a new Israeli movement called Refuseniks. These are people who refuse to military service on political grounds. There is currently no exemption from military service on political grounds. You can be exempt if you are a pacifist, but you have to object to all warfare and not just Israel's own conflicts. Omri paid a high price for his beliefs and aged eighteen was imprisoned. After five days solitary confinement he was released and then re-draughted. Again he refused and was imprisoned. This process was repeated until eventually Omri was released on medical grounds.
Uri was initially refused entry into the army because of a medical condition with his eyes. For Uri military service in Israel is a rite of passage. Not only are you doing your duty for your country but you are also securing a better future for yourself. Job opportunities are more restrictive to those who have not done their military service. As well as complusory draughting, the Israeli Defence Force run a volunteering scheme. These recruits will not see combat. Uri having been accepted as a volunteer, had just finished his basic training.
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19 comments // Fighting For Your Beliefs // Video

  • matadormedia
    • 0
      matadormedia  

    • A balanced look at two very different viewpoints.

      But what kind of society will Israel end up with in the future???

      You only have to go travelling around the world and meet the many young disillusioned Israelis who have done their military service. Many now have a different view of the IDF.

      Maybe there is a reason so many of them are huge drug takers and anti establishment.

    • 3 years ago
  • raja786
    • 0
      raja786  

    • I am unable to understand why USA and other countries are supporting such government. Why? I strongly condemned such sourt of activites which will cause destruction of world. Intention of Isrealis is very bad and dangerous.

    • 3 years ago
  • Sam_uel
    • 0
      Sam_uel  

    • It's very interesting to see how these two boys differ so greatly when they have grown up in the same country.

      I have a certain respect for both of them, as they are both standing for what they believe in in the face of adversity, something that can require a lot of courage.

    • 3 years ago
  • tursiops
  • MARTEEN
  • crealing
  • rachelmaechel
    • 0
      rachelmaechel  

    • ^ completely agree.

      I just realized the kid with the vision issues was not the kid with the glasses. They both took risks for the sake of their belief. That's honour.

      I wish people would report more stories like these. I know very little about Israel and to see a part through the eyes of a citizen is the best type of input.

    • 3 years ago
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  

    • They are both brave. They both are honorable. I think saying one answer and sticking with it no matter the treatment is a good thing. They tried to break one with prison and he didn't. The other could go blind but that didn't keep him from trying.

      Good pod. Thanks.

    • 3 years ago
  • keeshii768
  • KI4CLZ
  • GeoffNI
    • 0
      GeoffNI  

    • I give Honour to the young troops in the Israeli Defence Forces and to Uri. As for Omri, if he grew up in the previous generation I very much doubt that he would refuse to serve for Israel. History is easily forgotton by some.

    • 3 years ago
  • rachelmaechel
    • 0
      rachelmaechel  

    • Thank you for sharing this video. I was not aware of most of the material.

      Refuseniks are heroes in my opinion.
      Omri showed more courage by standing up to the army rather than just being a follower and joining it.
      I really respect that that type of action.

    • 3 years ago
  • CalgarC
  • globewatcher
  • StuArt_Gould
  • globewatcher
  • wordless
    • 0
      wordless  

    • this kind of thing is horrible, making these kids' futures bank on whether they do military service.
      i think the last kid is great, and american kids have said the same thing... i think the militaries of the world should be disbanded.

    • 3 years ago
  • mypsychoticself
    • 0
      mypsychoticself  

    • As a child, all I heard about was the people who had been proud of their military service or who were looking forward to it. I didn't hear the other side until I searched for it. Hopefully, the change will be bloodless (or as bloodless as possible).

    • 3 years ago
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