Call the police!

Last month, seven activists of New Profile were taken by the police for interrogation, and their computers confiscated. New Profile is a feminist movement which works to de-militarize the Israeli society. In August 2008 New Profile and CWP ran a terrific Internet campaign which encouraged young Israelis to re-think military service by presenting positive role models of women and men who chose not to serve in the army.

According to the Israeli law, military service is obligatory for all Jewish men and women, with limited exceptions (religious reasons, women who are married, etc.). Consciousness refusal of non-religious people is not an acceptable reason.

The public discourse was dominated by attacks on New Profile. Not surprising, when military service is considered a sacred and patriotic act of every responsible citizen and a good son/daughter, if of course they don't want to be disgrace to their families.
In response to the police interrogation (just a part of a long history of political persecution of activists), we issued a solidarity call, collected endorsement of 24 feminist organizations, and published an ad in the national media.

On April 30 we also organized a protest action next to a police station in Tel Aviv. With stickers and signs like "Danger! A Feminist Activist!", "Call the police!" and "Peace activists are interrogated, war criminals go free" we demanded to be interrogated by the police as well. If feminist peace activism is a crime, we should all be questioned, and we submit ourselves voluntarily.

The police was apparently non-interested. They were not willing to let us into the station. However, they did demand us to demonstrate at another location, even though the protest was entirely legal and did not require police permit. As the request obviously missed the entire point of the action and we could not comply, they began using force and violence. After the activist was holding the megaphone was taken and dragged violently by more than 5 police men, I shouted "leave her alone", and was taken into custody myself.

Eventually, we were six women and two men (held in separate rooms by gender) in the police station, some with serious browses – courtesy of the police department. They were willing to release those of us who were not charged with attacking a police officer (a bogus charge, as always) but they stayed in solidarity with the rest. And so we spent the afternoon, evening and part of the night at the station and most of the night in a detention center with quite a few cockroaches as roommates. However nothing was as shocking, frightening and humiliating than the basement of the Tel Aviv district court house, where arrestees are held before the trial. The court house I visited so many times – listening to hearings, waiting for the release of other activists, paying bail. It was the first time I saw and was inside the cages in its basement. We have supported each other and ourselves by singing loudly and probably driving the guards crazy with our musical" talents".

Eventually we were released on the next day, and most chances are that charges will not be made. The judge ordered the guards to release us from the leg cuffs in the court room, with strong applause of friends and activists who waited for us long hours in the court. It seems to me that every judge, not to mention every person, should spend some time in prison. When you visit the back yard of this society, it certainly changes the way you think and feel about it.

Here's a video from the protest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXT08cISAMI