Press Releases 

I am writing to you today from prison


Dear Friends, I am writing to you today from Israeli prison. My name is Hilel Garmi. I am 19 years old, born in Kibbutz Yodfat.

My crime? I refuse to serve in the Israeli military. I am one of a growing number of Israelis – men and women – who refuse to take part in the occupation of millions of Palestinians from the Jordan River to the sea.

I am asking you to stand with Israelis like me and support the refuser movement in Israel with a year-end contribution today.

We are part of a new movement in Israel. And your support now is critical to its success.

I was inspired by Ahmed Abu Artema, a Palestinian activist guided by principles of nonviolent resistance, and an important organizer of recent protests on the Gaza border. I was inspired to find in Gaza people who prefer to deal with the situation between the Jordan River and the sea without resorting to violence.

I, too, believe in civil disobedience – in applying nonviolent pressure to highlight a government’s lack of morality.

This is my sixth time in Israeli prison because of my stand. I don’t know how many more times they will imprison me for my views. But I will not give up.

I will continue to tak­e a stand.