Omer Goldman: The Unlikely Heroine
October 13, 2008 21 Comments
For a few years now, I have been intrigued and fascinated by the Refuseniks, or, Israeli conscientious objectors, who refuse to serve in the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) for religious or political reasons.
To date, their courage to object and endure prison sentences has remained relatively under-covered in the media, the most recent study addressing the movement being the slim 2005 publication Refusenik!: Israel’s Soldiers of Conscience by Peretz Kidron and Susan Sontag.
Which was why I was captivated by the following article in this weekend’s Sunday Times by Igal Sarna, concerning Omer Goldman, daughter of the deputy chief of Mossad, and conscientious objector.
Three weeks ago, eighteen year-old Omer refused to serve in the Israeli army after visiting a Palestinian village and witnessing firsthand the dire circumstances under which the Palestinians reside.
Having already served 21 days in a military jail, this week she will be tried again, and should she refuse once more, she will enter a cycle of trials until either she, or the army, concedes.
The first action against compulsory military draft was on 28 April, 1970, when a group of high school seniors sent a letter to Prime Minister Golda Meir expressing reservations about the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, the War of Attrition, and the government’s failure to avoid conflict.
Seventeen years on, a new group was formed, also made up of high school students who refused to serve in the Occupied Territories.
Assuming the name of their predecessors, Shministim (שמיניסטים), literally “twelfth graders”, they inspired a ripple effect of protest, with an estimated 3,000 Israeli high school students currently members of Shministim.
Conscientious objection has not been limited to high schoolers, however; on the outbreak of the Lebanon War in 1982, Yesh Gvul (יש גבול), or ”the border exists”, was established by reservists who refused to serve in Lebanon.
A petition, delivered to Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Defense Minister Ariel Sharon was signed by 3,000 reservists, some of whom were court martialed and served time in military prison for refusing to obey orders.
Today, its main role is to support ”soldiers who refuse duties of a repressive or aggressive nature”, while engaging in other political activities, such as petitioning British courts to issue arrest warrants for IDF officers.
In January 2002, fifty-one reserve soldiers and officers signed the “Combatants’ Letter” which declared their refusal “to fight beyond the 1967 borders in order to dominate, expel, starve and humiliate an entire people.”
The letter was conducive to the group, Ometz Le’sarev (אומץ לסרב), or, ”Courage to Refuse“, which distinguishes itself by using conspicuously Zionist discourse: “Refusal to serve in the Territories is Zionism.”
Since 2002, almost 633 combatants from all units of the IDF and from all sectors of the Israeli society signed the letter.
Based on nine points, the letter addresses the cruelty eked upon the Palestinians that is both above and beyond the call for security.
The actions undertaken by members of Courage to Refuse, and other political conscientious objectors are incredible: to act upon personal objections, pass weeks in prison cells, while challenging the views, and emotions, of family, friends, and society, is an honorable and invaluable endeavor, and one that should no longer pass uncommended.
[Image via: The First Post and RPPQUINN.]
From what I can gather it isnt straight forward to refuse to serve, you touched upon this fact when you mentioned the fact that Omer will be facing so many trials to avoid serving. From what I can gather not serving means a limited educational and career future for these people, and in todays world of materialism and selfishness, when Palestinians cannot but shop at the Zionist Marks & Spencers “because their knickers are so good”, this act of jeopardising her future by not serving is more noble than most of us give credit for.
Good for her, and I hope she stays firm in the face of the immense opposition she will face.
Thanks for sharing
Loolt – I think you just captured the exact point in one paragraph, while it took me a lengthy post, and I couldn’t agree more.
Those who open their eyes, can and will see the truth. This post is worth saving!
More power to her.
ATW
Unbelievably brave! Who are these young people who risk everything to do what’s right? It gives me such hope for the future. Keep the faith, you guys are making history, and a better tomorrow for all of us.
These kids are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside.
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Someone, please tell Omer that she honors the tribe greatly and it is people like her that will guarantee the Jews a safe haven in Palestine, even under Islamic – if not secular Palestinian rule. However, her fascist opponents will be driven out of Palestine, even if it takes a thousand years. Long live the few human beings amongst the youth of Israel.
God Bless you, Omer. What you have done took great courage, to stand up & say what you believe in.
Oh please… silly little girl looking for fame. Every Israeli has to go to the army. Over the past 2500 years Jews have only had a few hundred years of controlled occupation of Israel. The rest of the time has been a nightmare, living there (usually persecuted) under the rule of others. Living with terror is better than living with torture…
Brave and keeping it real, also it doesn’t hurt that she’s gorgeous!
@aLon
This is your argument:
1. She’s a fame seeker (how so?)
2. Service is mandatory (well no shit)
3. Jews have faced anti-semitism for a long time (how is this relevant?)
4. They haven’t been in control of Israel for very long relative to the history of anti-semitism (how is this relevant?)
5. They were persecuted alot (same as point 3, again how is this relevant?)
6. Living in fear of Palestinian retaliation for occupying their land is preferable in the light of the threat of….torture by Europeans? (you are a complete idiot)
Hope this helps, maybe you should finish grade school before you wander out into the wild world of the internet again.
Dear Omer,
You are beautiful inside and out. My little group of human rights workers who sailed to break the siege of Gaza aboard the FREE GAZA and the LIBERTY honor you and those like you who show such enormous courage in standing up for justice.
We bless you and I know God will bless you. Stay strong.
Love and peace,
Mariapalestina for Free Gaza
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Omer
You are an inspiration as are all of your sisters and brothers in the Shministim.
I particularly admire your statement “I shall not commit violence, come what may”
What a wonderful example to youth everywhere.
Your family circumstances make your stand even more admirable
You have now served a second sentence.
You can always hold your head high knowing that your way, the non-violent way, is the noblest and best way for humans to conduct themselves.
Your hands will never be stained with the blood of other humans.
Long life to you and to your idealism in the midst of war and inhumanity
Saw you in the Dutch show called “TweeVandaag” (TwoToday), and I didn’t only recognised Tel Aviv-Jaffa beach (I’ve been there last october (2008)), but I also recognise the indifference in which the Israeli people (most of them) live!
Sweetie: YOU GO ON!!!! From what I’ve heard (last october (2008)), many Israeli people think the same way (especially in Tel Aviv), but they are, most off the times, too scared to say it in front of the camera! But with people like you, peace IS a real option!!!!!! Don’t let those ignorant people get in your way, do what you can do, and, for what it’s worth: I will make a reference to you on my weblog! Cause it’s people like you that CAN make a change!!! :.)
And, for those who can understand Dutch (but most of all: can understand Omer!), this is the link to the site of TweeVandaag: http://www.tweevandaag.nl/index.php?module=PX_Story&func=view&cid=2&sid=34297&nav=34297,34296,34299,34298,0
I hope that you will achieve what you are fighting for, ’cause Israel and The Palestine Territories are such a wonderful piece of land, going to waste with nothing but war! :.-(
Sweetie: all the strength and power to ya’!
With love and respect, Rob, The Netherlands
Dear Omer,
I heard your interview with CBC Radio (Canada), and was inspired to hear a young woman like you, who is connected to the intelligence and military apparatus through family ties.
It takes a lot of courage to refuse service based on the immorality of occupation.
Most Americans, and many Canadians for that matter are mis-informed about occupation. They believe the violent reactions of groups like Hamas, Fatah and individuals arise from a vacuum. They all were born one day, to hate Israel, Israelis and Jews.
There is action and re-action to all.
The fight to change minds is a lot harder than to tear flesh with tank shells.
You battle to change ideas is more valiant than wearing a uniform and patrolling the West Bank.
You need to go to America and become a spokesperson for a new movement of youth who will not accept the status qou anymore.
You can certainily join with Palestinian peace activitst to present a common front.
My dream is Israel can become a one-state entity absorbing the territories as full federated partners in a new dynamic democratic, egalitarian, secular state free of racial or religious demarcations.
Good luck.
PS. In the end, I think your dad loves you, but is too conscious of his social/political circles that blocks him from being proud of you.
Omer,
thank you for your brave and honorable stance.
Wishing you peace and continued grit to sustain you, and may you continue your inspirational actions which have certainly heartened us in Ireland.
Bravo x
Dear Omer,
I heard the interview on CBC radio in Canada. You and your friends are very brave young people. The future is with you, not with the tired fear-mongering of the past. I wish you all the best and encourage you to stay your course. One day your father will give you the biggest hug you have ever known, and many others will want to do so.
she just makes me think that the world isnt that worst like i thought thank you
Dear Omer,
Youth has been conditioned over millennia to fight, as an distemper to its vitality. Many think being brave is to defend using violence. The hardest path is those that defend against violence. You are beauty, art, warrior poets.
To realize the truth, ANY truth, is something pristine and of god. The children of tomorrow are with you. Know that you did something for them. Know that come what may, you have found yourself, true and unfettered. It is what many search lifetimes.
With all my love and prayer,
to you and those like you (all over the world),
courage, fortitude, and faith in God.
We are one. I promise.
1. Per il Tempo!
2. Invero l’uomo è in perdita,
3. eccetto coloro che credono e compiono il bene, vicendevolmente si raccomandano la verità e vicendevolmente si raccomandano la pazienza.
Auguri per Omer, non sei sola.
The courage she has got, many people like us dont have…….
love and respect for OMER