Israel: Information on the penalty for a man who left the country for months or years beyond the time permitted by the military authorities
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 July 1993 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ISR14711 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Israel: Information on the penalty for a man who left the country for months or years beyond the time permitted by the military authorities, 1 July 1993, ISR14711, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aae984.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to a representative of the Consulate General of Israel in New York, if a person does not respect the date of return on a military permission to go abroad, he/she would be considered a deserter, would be prosecuted and would risk imprisonment upon return (21 july 1993). The representative added a person involved in such a case would be entitled to a legal counsel (Ibid.). The representative indicated, however, that the military authorities are now handling these cases with more restraint than they have in the past (Ibid.). For example, a person who did not respect his/her return date can go to a local Embassy or Consulate of Israel, and under the appropriate conditions, can be granted an extension of the military permission to remain abroad (Ibid.). The representative did not specify under what conditions such a renewal can be obtained (Ibid.). Arrangements between the Israeli Military Recording Office and a person unwilling to return to either finish or begin his/her military service can now be made in Israel or in North America (Ibid.). The representative mentioned that the head of the Recording Office came to New York in May 1993 for a period of three days to make these arrangements (Ibid.). These visits are advertised in advance in two Israeli newspapers, Ma'ariv and Yediot Ahronot (Ibid.). Both of these papers are available in the United States and Canada, and at any local Consulate General of Israel (Ibid.). The representative was not able to provide specific information on the nature of these arrangements, but did indicate that it might range from an exemption to a reduce military service, given that the person has respected his/her engagement (Ibid.). If a person does not wish to meet with the head of the Recording Office, it is now possible to complete an application explaining why the requester does not want to perform his/her military service (Ibid.). The representative was unable to provide information on the chance of success or failure of such a written request (Ibid.).
For further information on the above-mentioned subject please refer to the attached document.
Reference
Consulate General of Israel, New York. 21 July 1993. Telephone Interview with Representative.
Attachment
The Documentation, Information and Research Branch, Ottawa. 26 October 1992. Response to Information Request ISR12009.